HC Deb 12 April 2002 vol 383 c685W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list for each of the last five years the total amount of money spent by Ministers in his Department on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes; [47209]

(2) how much was spent by departmental special advisers on food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for entertainment purposes in each of the last five years. [46845]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: Expenditure arises on hospitality and entertainment only in the context of promoting the Department's business objectives. Departmental information systems do not classify expenditure by Ministers, special advisers or other employment category, nor do information systems provide a detailed breakdown of food and drink.

In the last five years the total amount spent by the Department on hospitality has been as follows:

£
1997–98 £90,883
1998–99 £67,953
1999–00 £50,114
2000–01 £93,091
2001–02 £80,077 to 31 December 2001

To identify expenditure by Ministers or special advisers on food, alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks would involve disproportionate cost.

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