To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is issued by his Department to officials on ordering refreshments at meetings in which (a) officials only and (b) non-civil servants will be present; and if he will make a statement. (35977)

Refreshments may be ordered for meetings only when:

(i) a number of those attending will not be Home Office civil servants;

(ii) a number of Home Office civil servants will be attending a meeting in a building other than that which is their regular place of work; and

(iii) if refreshments are requested for meetings where neither (i) nor (ii) apply, then advance written authorisation must be obtained.