To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on (a) alcohol and (b) food in each of the last five years. (261156)

A breakdown of the constituent elements of official entertainment is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

There are specific rules on the quantities of alcohol that may be provided at public expense and the circumstances in which alcohol may be served. The policy, rules and guidance on the provision of official entertainment are set out in chapter 45 of Joint Services Publication 462 (Financial Management Policy Manual), copies of which are available in the Library of the House and online under the MOD’s Publication Scheme at:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/FinanceandProcurementPublications/JSP462/Jsp462FinancialManagementPolicyManual.htm