To ask Her Majesty's Government who set the objectives for D2 to A grade staff in the Northern Ireland Office to receive bonuses; on what basis; and whether they will place copies of the objectives in the Library of the House. [HL129]

Individuals' objectives against which bonuses are awarded are set out in their personal performance agreements, which are agreed with their line manager. These reflect the departmental objectives set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007, a copy of which can be found at www.nio. gov.uk/comprehensive_spending_review_-_psas_and_ dsas_for_nio.pdf. Copies of performance agreements for each individual staff member from grade D2 to A could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

To ask Her Majesty's Government in calculating bonus figures for officials in the Northern Ireland Office, what regard is paid to their application of equality and parity of esteem for the two communities in Northern Ireland; and in what way and by whom it is assessed. [HL130]

All officials in the Northern Ireland Office are expected to reflect the principles of equality of opportunity, parity of esteem and equity of treatment in all aspects of their work. This does not form a separate criterion in relation to the award of bonuses.