To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the Cabinet Office's expenditure was on hospitality and entertainment in (a) 1996-97 and (b) 2005-06. (114114)

My department spent £649,000 on hospitality and entertainment in 2005-06.

Information on hospitality and entertainment expenditure for 1996-97 is not held on the department's accounting system and is therefore not available.

All Cabinet Office expenditure on official hospitality and entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in “Government Accounting” and other HM Treasury guidance.