To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many Christmas parties his Department plans to host in 2009; what has been budgeted for each such reception; what estimate he has made of the proportion of (a) lamb, (b) beef, (c) chicken, (d) pork, (e) turkey, (f) other meats, (g) vegetables, (h) fruit and (i) alcohol to be served at each such function which is produced in the UK; and if he will make a statement. (300870)

The Department does not intend to host any Christmas parties in 2009. The Department and its agencies do not fund Christmas parties for staff, although staff may personally contribute towards the cost of such an event.