HL Deb 23 April 2004 vol 660 cc63-4WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 22 March (WA 73) concerning the 2004 budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, whether copies of the minutes of 17 October, 30 October and 6 November meetings together with copies of e-mails and information following telephone calls referred to in the answer can be placed in the Library of the House. [HL2122]

The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Amos)

Under Part 2, paragraph 2(internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, it would be inappropriate for the Government to disclose documentation relating to discussions on the budget for the language body.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Northern Ireland Department of Finance and Personnel did not support the Ulster-Scots Agency's business case for placing appropriate new members of staff on the salary scale. [HL2195]

Baroness Amos

The Department of Finance and Personnel has only once approved less flexibility than that sought by the Ulster-Scots Agency to appoint a new recruit at a point on the salary scale higher than the minimum. Nevertheless, this was sufficient to recruit the preferred candidate.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 29 March (WA 127)concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, whether the proposal to open an office, with appropriate staff, in Donegal was taken into consideration when proportionality of contribution by the two governments was discussed. [HL2278]

Baroness Amos

The Ulster-Scots Agency's remit is the promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island. The proposal to open an office in Donegal was not a factor which required a change to the existing proportionality—the agency acquired the premises in Donegal back in 2001. Additional staffing costs in the agency were taken into account in the calculation of the budget for 2004.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 29 March (WA 127)concerning the budget of the Ulster-Scots Agency, what consultation took place about the proportionality of contribution of the two governments; when the consultation took place; and who was involved. [HL2279]

Baroness Amos

There were no specific consultations about proportionality because no new factors had emerged which would have required consideration of the need for it to be changed. The budget was calculated based on approved actions in the agency's business plan in line with care and maintenance.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 31 March (WA 157),who authorised the change of reporting funding requirements in December 2003 for the Ulster-Scots Agency; and when discussions took place on this issue with the chief executive of the Ulster-Scots Agency. [HL2358]

Baroness Amos

I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 31 March 2004 (WA 157).

There were numerous letters, e-mail exchanges and telephone conversations between DCAL officials and the chief executive of the agency on the funding drawdown request in question during November and December 2003.