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Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

Volume 479: debated on Monday 21 July 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are in place in his Department to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes. (219603)

All expenditure on hospitality (inclusive of alcohol) is governed by the Department’s general finance and accounting rules, where budget holders are required to scrutinise and agree areas of spend in accordance with clearly defined guidelines.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what purchasing process is used by his Department for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes. (219950)

The purchasing of alcohol is normally connected with departmental events, which is procured through either in house or external caterers according to pre-determined specification used when asking for quotations for hospitality. It is normally supplied on a sale or return basis. For ad-hoc requirements the purchasing can be undertaken using the Government Procurement Card, in accordance with normal departmental guidelines for using the card.