§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his 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. [99519]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe Department does not allocate specific budgets for hospitality. For the Department's expenditure on hospitality I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws), on the 24 February 2003,Official Report, column 21–22W.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what hospitality has been offered at public expense in the last 12 months, by each Minister in his Department to outside interest groups, broken down to(a) restaurant, (b) recipient and (c) cost in each case; [99595]
1185W(2) what criteria Ministers in his Department use when determining whether to offer hospitality in restaurants to interest groups at public expense; and if he will make a statement; [99594]
(3) how often Ministers in his Department have received hospitality in restaurants from outside groups. [99518]
§ Mr. McCartneyAll offers of hospitality are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. The giving and receiving of hospitality is conducted fully in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code, and Guidance on Contacts with Outside Interest Groups including Lobbyists. The detailed information requested is not held centrally, and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.