To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much (a) her Department and (b) its agency has spent on Christmas (i) cards, (ii) parties and (iii) decorations in the last 12 months. (303842)

Since 2006, the Cabinet Office has predominantly used an on-line e-card at no cost to the Department. The cost of any Christmas cards sent by the Department is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. No departmental funds have been used for staff Christmas parties.

Christmas trees are situated at certain points on the Cabinet Office estate, such as in the reception of the main buildings. The cost which includes the purchase, decoration and environmentally friendly disposal of the trees in 2008 was £5,757.