§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much grant in aid funding was given to the regional cultural consortiums and what the administration costs were, in 2002–03, broken down by region. [173706]
§ Mr. CabornThe eight regional cultural consortiums are currently advisory non-departmental public bodies. Their remit is to lead the development and implementation of regional cultural strategies, to promote cross-sectoral initiatives and to help develop and support partnership working. In 2002–03, the consortiums were funded as part of the Department's core programme business and all of their costs, including administration costs, were included as part of the 'Administration and Research' heading of the Department's main estimate. Figures for each consortium's administration costs are not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The consortiums did not receive any grant in aid funding in 2002–03.