§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what reasons underlie the change in his Department's entertainment expenditure between 1998–99 and 2001–02; and if he will make a statement. [95433]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe increase in entertainment expenditure between 1998–99 to 2001–02 is mainly a result of the Cabinet Office's widening span of responsibilities in recent years and Machinery of Government changes. There has been a corresponding rise in necessary entertainment expenditure by an increased staff resource. All expenditure is in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.