To ask the Minister for Women and Equality with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 303W, on departmental procurement, what the purpose was of each of the three payments to political parties by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. (252790)

The Commission has informed me that the three payments made by them, as referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) of 6 October 2008, Official Report, column 303W, are related to charges for attending the 2007 annual party conferences. The Commission attended the conferences to build its profile with parliamentarians and key stakeholders and promote factual information about its work, to co-inside with the launch of the new Commission in October 2007.