To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 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. (300880)

While each business area within the Department tends to have a Christmas function, these activities are paid for by the attendees. This Department does not pay for its officials or staff members to attend such functions. We do not collect information about the Christmas functions hosted or attended by officials or staff members in the Department and to do so would incur disproportionate cost.