§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the budget of the Food Safety Promotion Board Cross-Border Implementation Body was increased by 9.3 per cent between 2002 and 2003; what information was used to facilitate the increase; and whether the proportion of contributions has changed. [HL1714]
§ Baroness AmosThe FSPB budget for 2002 was set at 8,400,000 euros or £4,960,000 using an exchange rate of 0.59.
The budget for 2003 was set at 8,630,000 euros or £5,420,000 using an exchange rate of 0.63.
The budget for 2003 was based on a business plan submitted by the body to the sponsoring departments north and south. The increase, in euros, on the 2002 position was 2.7 per cent, and reflects inflationary pressures on pay and non-pay factors. However due to exchange rate fluctuations the budget in GBP increased by 9.3 per cent from 2002 to 2003. The proportion of the contributions north/south has remained constant at circa 70/30 per cent.