To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on (a) conference services and (b) banqueting services in each of the last five years. (274508)

This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Expenditure on conference and banqueting services must be necessary, appropriate, cost effective and an admissible charge to public funds.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on entertainment and hospitality in the last two financial years. (275011)

The MOD spent £4.2 million on entertainment in 2007-08. The information for 2008-09 is intended for future publication in our annual report and accounts before the summer recess, as is our usual practice.

The aim of official entertainment is to support MOD objectives, facilitate wider public understanding of the armed forces, enhance professional contacts, further British security policy interests and meet defence diplomacy objectives. Official entertainment may be used to support management objectives or enhance esprit de corps.