To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the £7.5 million per annum spent on the Racial Equality Strategy for Northern Ireland relates to (a) on-going work and (b) new initiatives each year; and whether further resources have been allocated to the strategy by other Government departments for (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08. (93987)

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my previous answer on 5 July 2006, Official Report, column 1184W, when I confirmed that Northern Ireland Departments, Northern Ireland Office and the Police Service for Northern Ireland are planning to spend at least £7.5million per annum, the majority of which relates to on-going work in support of the Racial Equality Strategy Implementation Action Plan for Northern Ireland in each of the years 2006-07 and 2007-08. A further £210,000 has been allocated for English as an Additional Language.

Departments are considering new initiatives and resource requirements for inclusion in the 2^nd Annual Implementation Action Plan covering 2007-08.