§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of administering the Statutory Registration Scheme in Northern Ireland was in the last year for which figures are available. [157720]
§ Mr. PearsonThe cost of administering both the Statutory Certification Scheme and the Voluntary Classification Scheme in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for the financial year 2002–03 was as follows:
£ Amount Salaries 216 Staff expenses 28 Cost of printing and establishment signs 9 Overheads apportioned as follows1 Premises 29 General office 31 Staff development 5 Total gross costs 318 Less income from both schemes 176 Total net cost 142 1 Based on eight staff in unit and total staff of 12 in NITB. The split of staff time would approximate to 40 per cent. to Statutory Certification Scheme and 60 per cent. to Voluntary Classification Scheme resulting in a net overall expense of running the Statutory Certification Scheme of £57,000 for the financial year 2002–03.