Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Randerson on 14 July (WA 100), whether it is now their policy to answer Questions for Written Answer by reference to websites, and if so why; and whether they will arrange for the information requested to be published in the <i>Official Report</i>.

The Government’s policy for providing information to hon Members and Noble Peers has not changed. Where information sought in a parliamentary question is already in the public domain, it is routine practice to refer to public sources of information, including websites.

The Noble Lord may find this further information to be of assistance.

As set out in the Parades Commission’s annual report for 2013-14, the Chair and members are paid annual salaries of £50,000 and £22,000 respectively. The total expenditure for the Parades Commission for each of the last ten years is listed below:

Total Expenditure in Financial Year (£)

2013/14 915,827

2012/13 1,372,893

2011/12 957,760

2010/11 1,022,536

2009/10 1,031,827

2008/09 1,130,428

2007/08 1,062,321

2006/07 1,739,789

2005/06 1,459,693

2004/05 1,166,278

The Parades Commission is responsible for the management of its own budget and, in line with the Public Processions Act (NI) 1998, it is also responsible for the publication of its Annual Report and Accounts. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland is responsible for ensuring that the annual report is laid in Parliament.