HL Deb 21 December 2004 vol 667 cc136-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure provided the year 2000 accounts of the Ulster-Scots Agency to any other organisation before laying the accounts before Parliament; if so, which organisation; and why. [HL327]

Baroness Amos

The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure received the certificated 2000 accounts of the North/South Language Body from the two Comptrollers and Auditors General on 18 November 2004. They have not been passed to any other organisation by the department in advance of their being laid before Parliament.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are any restraints on the promotion of the Ulster-Scots language by the Ulster-Scots Agency through expenditure in the United States. [HL328]

Baroness Amos

All expenditure by the Ulster-Scots Agency, wherever incurred, must be for the purpose of promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.