HL Deb 09 September 2003 vol 652 cc108-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the European Union Special Programmes Body, on what dates the budgets for 2001 and 2002 were approved by the North/South Ministerial Council; and whether the budget for 2003 was approved using the procedure of 5 December 2002. [HL3928]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

I refer the noble Lord to the information provided in the Written Answer of 7 July 2003 (WA 3). The interim procedures were drawn up by officials to facilitate decision-making by Ministers under the Exchange of Notes. Implementation of the procedures is an administrative matter for officials in the relevant departments. The procedures were therefore implemented as necessary to facilitate the approval of the budget for 2003.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many offices the Special European Union Programmes Body has; where they are located; how much each office cost to set up; and how much it costs to run each office. [HL3966]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Special EU Programmes Body has three offices located in Belfast, Omagh and Monaghan. The Special EU Programmes Body offices were set up over a period of three years, 2000 to 2002. Set-up costs by office, excluding running costs, over this period were as follows:

Office Set-up Costs
Belfast £506,368
Omagh £448,897
Monaghan £26,061
Total £981,326

In addition to these set-up costs, a further £232,280 in professional fees, relating to recruitment costs, were incurred but cannot be attributed to individual offices as some staff recruitment competitions have involved recruitment to posts in more than one office.

The running costs for each office for 2002 (the first full year of operation for all three offices) were as follows:

Office Running Costs1
Belfast £113,866
Omagh £67,583
Monaghan £26,532
Total £207,981
1 Running costs are the Premises expenses which includes costs such as rent, rates, electricity, insurance, repairs and maintenance.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, why the budget was increased for 2001; whether a business case was submitted who approved it; and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House; and. [HL3967]

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 7 July (WA 3) concerning the Special European Union Programmes Body, whether a business case was submitted for the additional funding approved on 30 October 2001; if so, who approved it: and whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House. [HL3969]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

During 2001, the SEUPB budget was increased to cover additional funds that could not have been anticipated at the time of the setting of the original budget. The additional costs included accommodation requirements for the three SEUPB offices, provision of secretariat to the newly established Regional Partnership Board and staff recruitment.

NSMC. meeting in special EU sector format, approved the budget increase on the basis of the needs identified and proposals made to it when it met on 30 October 2001.