asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 April (WA 75) concerning the budget for the Northern Ireland Events Company, what consultation took place before the 2007-08 budget was set; who took part in the consultation; when the consultation took place; and whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of the consultation documentation. [HL3411]

The Northern Ireland Events Company (NIEC) budget is set in the Government's Priorities and Budgets process. There was no Priorities and Budget process for the 2007-08 financial year. Therefore there was no consultation before the 2007-08 NIEC budget was set. However, there was a Budget and Priorities process in 2005, in which the NIEC budget for 2006-07 and indicative budget for 2007-08 was set.