§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what hospitality has been offered at public expense in the last 12 months, by each Minister in his Department to outside interest groups, broken down by(a) restaurant, (b) recipient and (c) cost in each case; [99521]
(2) what criteria Ministers in his Department use when determining whether to offer hospitality in restaurants to interest groups at public expense; and if he will make a statement; [99520]
(3) how often Ministers in his Department have received hospitality in restaurants from outside groups in the last 12 months. [99596]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggAll offers of hospitality are made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting. The giving and receiving of hospitality is conducted fully in accordance with the guidance set out in the Ministerial Code, and Guidance on Contacts with Outside Interest Groups including Lobbyists. The detailed information requested is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 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. [99597]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggMy Department does not hold budgets specifically for hospitality. I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 27 January 2003,Official Report, columns 539–40W, which provides figures on spend.