HC Deb 20 October 1971 vol 823 cc126-7W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will give, for the latest and most convenient stated period, the amount expended from the Government's hospitality fund on the purchase of cigarettes; and how this amount compares with stated periods during the previous five years.

Mr. Amery

Figures are not available broken down between cigars and cigarettes. To ascertain the amount spent on cigarettes alone would involve a disproportionate amount of staff time. The total amount spent annually on cigars and cigarettes during the past five years is as follows:

1966–67—£1,964 4s.
1967–68—£4,398 12s. 9d.
1968–69—£1,691 17s. 6d.
1969–70—£3,689 1s. 3d.
1970–71—£3,553.85