Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Friday, 14 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 November 2008. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Thursday, 20 November 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Christmas

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have spent on Christmas (a) cards, (b) parties and (c) decorations in the last 12 months.

Answer: MOD expenditure on Christmas cards in 2007 was £700.This figure includes printing, purchase and postage, but excludes a small amount spent by Defence attaches (for permitted representational purposes) which is not identifiable without disproportionate cost. The sending of Christmas cards at public expense is governed by the principles of Managing Public Money, regulated by departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, and must be in pursuit of specific Defence objectives. This year the MOD is increasing its use of E-cards however in some instances like, for veterans, Christmas cards remain the most appropriate means of communication.Staff Christmas parties and building decorations are paid for from non-public funds or staff subscription. The exception is the contracted-out facilities management services for MOD Whitehall buildings, which did include an annual £5,000 provision for Christmas decorations, of which £4,000 was spent in 2007. This element of the contract has subsequently been removed.Trading Fund expenditure is not included in this response as they are outside the MOD's departmental boundary for financial reporting purposes.

Secondary information