To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2007, Official Report, column 515W, on Departments: official hospitality, from which external customers the sum of £184,000 was recouped in 2006-07; and for what reason the amount recouped increased by £95,000 from the previous year. (146804)

The previous answer referred to of 6 June 2007, Official Report, column 515W, inadvertently stated that £184,000 was recouped from external customers. In fact, this money was recouped from both external and internal customers. In 2005-06, £80,000 was recouped from external customers and £9,000 from internal customers. (In 2006-07, £149,000 was recouped from external customers and £35,000 from internal customers).

In addition to its own use, the NIO permits a wide range of organisations to use the facilities at Hillsborough Castle for a variety of events. These organisations include; other NI Government Departments, the Prison Service, the Police Service, the armed services, and a variety of charitable organisations—all of whom are charged for the services they receive.

The Department also charges external and internal customers for services they receive at Stormont house.

The number of events and the cost of putting on those events will determine the amount recouped from customers. These two factors will have contributed to the rise in recoupment between 2005-06 and 2006-07.

A detailed list of the individual events and their costs could be provided only at disproportionate cost.