HL Deb 07 September 2004 vol 664 c100WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord President on 12 July (WA 118) concerning the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, why the only Loyal Order parade listed in the annual events listing brochure for 2004, issued by the Board, was the Maiden City Festival. [HL3817]

Baroness Amos

The purpose of the annual events listing brochure is to provide a representative sample of major events in Northern Ireland. The Maiden City Festival was regarded as a representation of the Loyal Order celebrations and was therefore included in the brochure for 2004.

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board maintains a database record of the major Loyal Order parades and ensures that these are published on its consumer website.

NITB has recently met with the Grand Orange Lodge to examine ways to work with it to review the promotion of the 12 July parades. NITB is currently developing detailed criteria for listing of events.