To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what the expenditure by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on food and drink was in 2006-07. (176508)

In financial year 2006-07 expenditure by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on food and drink was £6,984.94.

All DPMO expenditure on official hospitality was made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in “Government Accounting” and the Treasury handbook on “Regularity and Propriety”.