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 Monday, 29 March 2010. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 was of each.

Answer: [holding answer 29 March 2010]: Information on official entertainment by event is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.We use official entertainment to pursue British security policy interests, facilitate a wider public understanding of the armed forces, and enhance professional contacts within the UK and with other nations.Expenditure on official entertainment must be modest and is incurred according to business need. It is subject to prior approval and compliance with departmental rules and the principles of propriety set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury's handbook on Regularity, Propriety and Value for Money.

Secondary information