To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many Christmas functions arranged by his Department and its agency (a) he, (b) officials of his Department and (c) officials of its agency (i) hosted and (ii) attended in 2008; and if he will make a statement. (295446)

The then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Leigh (Andy Burnham), hosted a Christmas reception for the Department's non-departmental public bodies in December 2008 and a reception for journalists.

The annual staff party at DCMS is self-funded by staff, and any profits made are donated to the DCMS Civil Service Sports and Social Club account. Information on functions that the Minister and officials attended could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department has only one executive agency, The Royal Parks (TRP). TRP hosted an event for its stakeholders in December 2008.

TRP also held its annual staff Christmas party which was paid for by TRP Directors and not the public purse. TRP staff were invited to the Winter Wonderland fair in Hyde Park by the organiser of the event.