HC Deb 17 December 1993 vol 234 c994W
Dr. Reid

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how much of his Department's money has been authorised for the 1993 staff Christmas party;

(2) what was the cost of his Department's 1992 staff Christmas party, including man hours lost.

Mr. Hanley

Each year, my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, his ministerial colleagues and the staff of the ministerial offices host a party to thank departmental officials and their military colleagues for the work and support given during the year and 1992 and 1993 were no exception. The costs of these events are met by Ministers and the staff of the ministerial offices. The events take place out of office hours and, apart from a few staff hours of preparation beforehand, no staff hours were lost.