asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Rooker on 12 July (WA 127) concerning the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, why staff sick leave increased by over 69 per cent from 2000–01 to 2005–06; and what steps are being taken to reduce the number of sick days.[HL7052]

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) acknowledges that the increase in sickness absence figures between 2000-01 and 2005-06 is not satisfactory, but it has been largely driven by staff on long-term sickness absence and does not reflect the fact that the majority of staff have had no sickness absence. However, the level of long-term sickness remains a concern, and, following a recent review, the following steps have been taken to address the issue: revised policy and procedures for sickness absence implemented from July 2006; a new employee support programme, which includes occupational health, welfare and counselling facilities from April 2006; and a new performance management system implemented from April 2006 to improve objective setting, performance monitoring and personal development.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the relationship between the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the company Rural Colleges; whether the company received grant aid; and, if so, when the grant was paid.[HL7054]

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) is assuming that Lord Laird is referring to Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd and is answering the question accordingly.

Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and a wholly owned subsidiary of NITB.

Rural Cottage Holidays Ltd was paid £733,000 from 1995 to 2002.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the Northern Ireland Tourist Board has spent on consultants in each year since 2000; and, in each case, what was the purpose of the consultancy.[HL7069]

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) does not hold information for the financial years 2000-01 and 2001-02. However, the amount of money expended by the NITB on consultants, together with the purpose of the consultancy, for financial years 2002 to 2006 is detailed in the table.