§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what sums(a) he and (b) the Lord Chancellor have spent on official entertaining since 1 May 1997. [49877]
§ Mr. HoonSince 1 May 1997 I have spent £814.33 on official entertainment. The Lord Chancellor has spent £20,964. This sum includes £10,638.94 for the Lord Chancellor's Breakfast, an annual event hosted by the Lord Chancellor as head of the judiciary and attended last year by 830 people, as well as a number of other events including a dinner for foreign judges to mark the Opening of the Legal Year; and a dinner in honour of the Chief Justice of Hong Kong.