§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why allegations of staff bullying and harassment in the Ulster-Scots Agency during 2001 were not investigated by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. [HL4145]
§ Baroness AmosThe Department of Culture. Arts and Leisure was informed of allegations made in 2001 by a seconded civil servant and a consultant employed by the Ulster-Scots Agency. The noble Lord (as the chair of the board at that time) was advised that it was the board's responsibility to investigate these claims.
As the agency did not have the appropriate policies and procedures in place, in order to assist the board, the department followed up the claims on its behalf. The noble Lord was informed of the outcomes of the process.
§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they support the policy of the Ulster-Scots Agency of providing resources to groups which promote the 12 July celebrations as a tourist attraction; and, if so, why the Northern Ireland Department of Culture Arts and Leisure has removed funding from the agency's requested budget for 2004 for that policy. [HL4147]
§ Baroness AmosI would refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer I gave him on 7 September (WA 98). I would also refer the noble Lord to the Written Answer I gave him on 17 June 2004 (WA 80), in relation to the agency's budget.