§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate has spent on corporate hospitality in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [18535]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 27 November 2001]: The Crown Estate spent the following on corporate hospitality:
Year £ (a) 1998–99 9,198 (b) 1999–2000 12,173 (c) 2000–01 135,415 This figure includes costs for special receptions to mark the millennium, held for Crown Estate tenants. These comprised a garden party in the Windsor Estate for some 1,500 guests, and a dinner in Stirling Castle for some 200 guests.
(d)2001–02: Projected to be £16,610.
§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Crown Estate spent on corporate sponsorship in(a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001. [20549]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 6 December 2001]: The Crown Estate contributes to activities related to land and property management and figures for these contributions are supplied:
Year £ (a) 1998–99 26,450 (b) 1999–2000 45,896 (c) 2000–01 72,730 (d) 2001–021 37,431 1Predicted to date These activities include items such as contributions to the cost to the Marine Conservation Society's Beachwatch scheme, the Marine Education Centre in Kimmeridge, Dorset and the Moray Firth Partnership (coastal forum) 767W newsletter. The Crown Estate does not, as a general rule, provide corporate sponsorship for cultural or sporting events.
In addition, in Regent street where the Crown Estate owns all the property between Piccadilly circus and Oxford circus (an estate valued at £742.5 million) the Crown Estate contributed £193,836 (1999–2000) and £200,000 (2000–01) to the Regent street Christmas lights and £61,796 (2000–01) to the Regent street festival, as part of its management strategy to maintain and enhance Regent street's reputation and position as one of London's premier shopping destinations.