§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements he has made for the provision of (i) IT support, (ii) stationery and (iii) hospitality services for his Department; and what percentage of each is contracted from outside bodies. [90569]
504W
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 13 July 1999]: FCO provision for IT support, stationery and hospitality for the Financial Year 1999–2000 is as follows:
IT support
£2.12 million, which provides 24 hour IT support and network management to more than 280 overseas missions and to the FCO Departments. Contract expenditure amounts to £1.12 million or 53 per cent. The remainder covers internal costs.Stationery
£1.7 million. All stationery budgets at home and overseas are devolved. A centrally negotiated call-off contract is used. All stationery is contracted out.Hospitality1
£2.286 million. All catering services are contracted out though wine and equipment are provided from the Government Hospitality cellar. All overseas Hospitality Budgets are devolved to Posts. No figures are held centrally.1 This figure includes the expenditure by the Government Hospitality Fund which provides for State Visits, Guests of Government and functions for all Government Departments.