§ Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on(a) mobile phones, (b) hospitality and (c) taxi costs in (i) 1996–97 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available. [185245]
§ Charlotte Atkins[holding answer 21 July 2004]: The central part of the Department for Transport spent £15,000 on hospitality/entertainment in respect of all members of the Department in 2003–04. All expenditure on official entertainment and hospitality is made in 1840W 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".
Costs in relation to mobile phones and taxi costs are not readily available and would be so only at disproportionate cost.
The Department for Transport was established in 2002 and therefore figures are not available prior to this date.