§ Mr. DjanoglyTo ask the Secretary of State for 'Work and Pensions 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. [88137]
§ Mr. McCartneyPublic funds have not been used for entertaining and Christmas decorations in private offices. Christmas cards for Ministers to issue in their official capacity have been purchased at a cost of £1,619.34. Gathering information to answer for the rest of this Department could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, any 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 Department has no official residences.