To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor spent on (a) new furnishings, (b) works of art and (c) new vehicles in each of the last two years. (312543)

Spend by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and its predecessor Department, Department for Education and Skills, on new furnishings, and new vehicles in the last two financial years and the current financial year to date is shown as follows.

Expenditure on new furnishings was higher during 2007-08 and 2008-09 owing to a total refurbishment programme at Sanctuary Buildings.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families financial system does not hold information on the amount of spend incurred purely for art works. Therefore the information could be provided only at disproportionate costs.