HC Deb 24 March 2003 vol 402 cc60-1W
Mr. Laws

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the total spending of his Department on entertainment in each year from 1994–95 to 2002–03; and if he will make a statement. [92371]

Mr. Gray

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's hospitality budget(a) is in 2002–03 and (b) was in each of the last three years; and how much was left unspent at the end of each financial year. [99511]

Ruth Kelly

Expenditure in the years since 1997–98 is as follows:

£000
Expenditure
1997–98 59
1998–99 69
1999–2000 99
2000–01 141
2001–02 100
2002–031 115
1 April to December

Figures for earlier years were given in the answer by the then Economic Secretary (Helen Liddell) on 18 November 1997, Official Report, column 110W.

Treasury internal budgets are controlled in respect of organisational units, not in respect of types of spending. Accordingly there are no binding budget figures comparable to these figures for expenditure.

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".

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