§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimate is of the total spending of his Department in all forms of entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92413]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created on 29 May 2002. From 1 June 2002 to 31 January 2003, Ministers and the Permanent Secretary and their Private Offices spent an estimated £3,350 on entertainment, working lunches, dinners and awaydays with stakeholders.
All expenditure on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in "Government Accounting".