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Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Leader of the House (1) what measures are in place in her Office to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes; (219594)

(2) what purchasing process is used by her Office for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes.

All proposals to purchase alcohol for hospitality purposes need the prior approval of the Cabinet Office Finance Director. The purchase of alcohol, which may be via the Government Procurement Card, by invoice or by a staff claim is monitored by the Cabinet Office Financial Management Team.

It is important to emphasise that the official purchase and provision of alcohol is an unusual undertaking. Therefore, all expenditure, including that on hospitality, has to be incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.