Written question asked by Lord Hammond of Runnymede (Conservative) on Tuesday, 23 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 March 2010. It was answered by Ben Bradshaw (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the five most expensive hospitality events hosted by his Department and its agencies were in the last three years; and what the (a) cost and (b) purpose of each such event was.

Answer: The relevant five events were the Secretary of State's Christmas reception, December 2007 (£11,366); The Royal Parks' annual stakeholder event, January 2008 (£3,617.05); The Royal Parks' annual stakeholder event, December 2008 (£3,045.98); the Secretary of State's Christmas reception, December 2008 (£4,477); and the Secretary of State's new year reception, January 2010 (£2,997).All expenditure on hospitality is made in accordance with published departmental guidance, based on the principles set out in Managing Public Money.

Secondary information