Written question asked by David Leslie Taylor (Labour) on Monday, 23 November 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 November 2009. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Thursday, 26 November 2009 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Government Departments: Corporate Hospitality

Question: (2) when she expects to publish the register of hospitality received by board members of Government Departments during 2008.

Answer: The guidance to Departments on the recording of hospitality set out in the Government's response to the Public Administration Select Committee's Report "Lobbying: Access and Influence in Whitehall""http//www.publications_parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmselect/cmpubadm/1058/1058.pdf"makes clear that in general it is not necessary to record hospitality received from those within HM Government and non-departmental public bodies. There are no plans to amend the register.Government Departments are publishing details of hospitality received by Director Generals and above on a quarterly basis (starting with the first quarter of 2009-10) on their own departmental websites. Information on hospitality received by board members during 2008 will be published as soon as it is ready.

Secondary information