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Cabinet Office

Answer

Mr. Cameron: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Office has spent on (a) mobile telephone costs, (b) hospitality and (c) taxi costs in (i) 1996-97 and (ii) the last year for which figures are available. [185240] Ruth Kelly: [holding answer 19 July 2004]: Financial information prior to the 1997-98 financial year was recorded on a previous accounting system and cannot be readily retrieved without incurring disproportionate cost. Expenditure on mobile telephone is not separately identifiable on the Department's accounting system and therefore the information requested cannot be readily retrieved without incurring disproportionate cost. The department spent £484,000 on entertainment expenses in 2003-04. This amount includes refreshments provided at meetings, working lunches and other forms of hospitality. All expenditure on official entertainment and hospitality is made in 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 "Civil Service Code". For information on taxi costs I refer the hon. Member to the response given to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 13 November 2003, Official Report, column 397W. Owing to changes in the Department's accounting system expenditure on taxis since 2002 is not separately identifiable and the information requested could only be provided at disproportionate costs.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

426 c382-3W; 185240

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Expenditure Government departments Mobile phones Taxis Cabinet Office Official hospitality Operating costs

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk