§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many departmental Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost(a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year. [88111]
§ Mr. JamiesonWe shall be sending up to 800 departmental Christmas cards at a cost of £731 + VAT, in accordance with practise over very many years. This expenditure is made in line with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. A sample copy of the official Christmas card has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much will be spent on(a) entertaining, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in ministers' (i) private offices and (ii) official residences. [88136]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe information requested is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However, all expenditure incurred on decorations, entertainment and any other festive activities is strictly for official purposes only, and is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.