This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 3 June 2009:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me for reply.
Spend on hotel accommodation in the last four years was as below:
£ 2008-09 1,225,108 2007-08 1,128,668 2006-07 1,107,810 2005-06 568,431
The figures include costs for dinner, bed and breakfast.
In 2006 the Audit Commission introduced a new contractual arrangement for hotel accommodation with a booking agent. Prior to the new contract, hotel accommodation was booked directly with a wide range of hotels across the UK. Therefore the figure shown for 2005/06 only represents the expenditure with our contracted supplier.
The Audit Commission employs approximately 2,000 staff. Due to the nature of our work and the geographical spread of our client base, overnight accommodation is a business requirement.
A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.
This is an operational matter for the Audit Commission, and I will ask the chief executive of the Audit Commission to write to the hon. Member direct.
Letter from Steve Bundred, dated 3 June 2009:
Your Parliamentary Question has been passed to me for reply.
Up to May 2009, the policy stated a minimum 3 star standard should be used, to ensure that room service was available, as this was felt to be important for the security of our staff working away from home. The Audit Commission changed its policy on hotel accommodation in May 2009. The new policy removed the minimum 3 star standard and replaced this with a maximum overnight rate depending upon the location of the hotel:
£ London, SW1 160.00 Bristol and London (excluding SW1) 130.00 Regions (excluding Bristol and London) 115.00
The maximum overnight rates include bed, breakfast and a £25 limit for an evening meal.
A copy of this letter will be placed in Hansard.