§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 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. [88112]
§ Mr. McCartneyA total of 1,230 Christmas cards were purchased for our Ministers at a total cost of £1,619.34. All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. As it is Christmas, I have sent the hon. Member a Christmas card.