§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 17 June (WA 87) concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2003, whether the only consideration for the budget was pressure on public expenditure in the Republic of Ireland; whether this was an acceptable reason for a delay in the implementation of its policy in a part of the United Kingdom; and, if not, whether they will ensure that such a reason is not accepted again. [HL4768]
§ Baroness AmosThe budget for the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2003 was agreed on a joint North/South basis as part of the overall budget for the North/South Language Body. Pressure on public expenditure in the Republic of Ireland was one of a number of factors considered in agreeing the budget for the body.
Whilst available resources and prevailing commitments are always a factor in terms of policy implementation, I understand that a revised business plan for the Language Body has been received by the sponsor departments, and that the budget will be increased.