asked Her Majesty's Government:

By how much the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has been underspent in each of the past five years.[HL8043]

The information requested is contained in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure resource accounts for the years 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 which have been laid before the Houses of Parliament.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What cutbacks they envisage in the budget of the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure as a result of the creation of the Transitional Fund for Festivals in 2006.[HL8044]

No cutbacks are envisaged in the budget of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure as a result of transitional funding for festivals in 2006.