§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much has been spent by his Department on official hospitality in each of the past five years.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe amounts spent by my Department on the full range of official hospitality are as follows:—
£ 1979–80 82,982 1980–81 88,001 1981–82 94,410 1982–83 108,771 1983–84 98,524 Of the above figures about two thirds cover the cost of working lunches, teas, coffees and so on for formal committees and meetings at which the majority of those present are visitors to the Department.