To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures are in place to ensure that invitations to events received by officials in his Department from private companies are assessed using the Gifts, Reward and Hospitality Annex of the Statement of Civilian and Service Personnel Policy. (175952)

[holding answer 7 January 2008]: Officials within the Ministry of Defence are required to record all invitations to events received from private companies, in a hospitality book, whether they are accepted or declined. Members of the senior civil service, service officers in command appointments and those holding staff appointments at or above one star level are required to maintain their own hospitality book. Each management area is required to maintain a hospitality book for the use of more junior officials.

Hospitality books are to be examined, at regular intervals, (at least once per year), by the appropriate director, head of division or commanding officer. Their hospitality books are in turn, inspected by staff of senior grade/rank, usually their line manager. Hospitality books are additionally subject to audit by Defence Internal Audit and the National Audit Office.