§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many departmental Christmas cards he and his Ministers intend to send in 2002; how much these cards will cost(a) to buy, (b) to post and (c) in staff time to sign, address and place in envelopes; and if he will place in the Library a sample copy of the official Christmas card he has sent this year. [88118]
§ Mr. LeslieIn accordance with the conventions followed by all administrations the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister shall be sending out up to 1,820 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Christmas cards, purchased for a total cost of £1,364.40 plus VAT. It is Office of the Deputy Prime Minister policy to send mail by second class post where ever possible. Ministers will sign the cards and they will he placed in envelopes and sent out by Office of the Deputy Prime Minister staff as part of their normal duties. Sample copies of the cards have been placed in the Library of the House, All expenditure incurred in the purchase and despatch of official Christmas cards is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".
§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much will be spent on(a) entertaining, (b) Christmas decorations and (c) other festive activities this Christmas season by his Department and government agencies answerable to his Department; and of this sum how much will be spent in ministers' (i) private offices and (ii) official residences. [88121]
§ Mr. LeslieAny expenditure incurred on decorations, entertainment and any other festive activities is strictly for official purposes only, and is made in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".
The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.