To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff in his Department have received gifts valued at £100 or higher in the course of their duties in each of the last three years; what these gifts were; and from whom they were received. (242026)

Three members of staff in the Department for Transport and its agencies each received one gift valued at £100 or higher over the last three financial years.

The gifts are as follows:

Fountain pen—Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers

Satnav—Institute of Highway Incorporated Engineers

Crystal model—Dubai Road Transport Authority

These gifts have been retained for departmental use.

The Department’s policy is that all gifts other than low value items i.e. diaries, must be refused. The only exception to the above is where refusal would cause offence to the donor or misunderstanding.

The rules and guidance on receipt of gifts by civil servants are set out in the “Civil Service Management Code”, and in departmental staff handbooks.