§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's hospitality budget(a) is in 2002–03 and (b) was in each of the last three years; and how much was left unspent at the end of each financial year. [99593]
§ Clare ShortMy Department does not have a hospitality budget as such. Actual expenditure by DFID on official entertainment in the last three financial years was as follows:
1999–00 £62,000 2000–01 £48,000 2001–02 £55,000 We estimate we will spend some £74,000 on entertainment in 2002–03.
All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".