HC Deb 21 July 2004 vol 424 cc291-2W
Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department spent on(a) mobile phone costs, (b) hospitality and (c) taxi costs in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. [185377]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 20 July 2004]: Information on spend for 1996–97 would be available only at disproportionate cost.

The latest information available is for 2003–04. Against a Department Expenditure Limit of £5.6 billion, spend on mobile phone costs was £279,000; spend on hospitality and entertainment costs was £1,121,000 and spend on taxi costs was £171,000. These figures are taken from the Department's financial records, and are subject to audit.

Mr. Randall

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost of refurbishments to the fabric of buildings owned by the Department has been since May 1997. [185379]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 20 July 2004]: My Department undertakes a wide variety of projects as part of ongoing maintenance and improvements of its current stock. The total capital cost of minor works, maintenance, and renovation projects involving significant works to the building services and fabric, since 1997 are as follows:

Financial Year £million
1997–98 2.0
1998–99 2.0
1999–2000 2.15
2000–01 1.8
2001–02 4.75
2002–03 2.20
2003–04 2.30

The additional expenditure incurred in Financial Year 2001–02 was due to the project to extend the conference facilities and associated services at 1 Victoria Street.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department spent on press officers in(a) 1996–97 and (b) the latest year for which figures are available, broken down by grade. [185383]

Ms Hewitt

[holding answer 20 July 2004]: The information is not held in the form requested and could be recovered only at disproportionate cost.