To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department spent on (a) new furnishings, (b) works of art and (c) new vehicles in each of the last two years. (312428)

The Department spend was as follows:

The notable increase in furnishings for the 2008-09 year includes major new build and refurbishment projects throughout the DEFRA estate including:

Lion House, Alnwick

Dragonfly House, Norwich

Foss House, York

Refresh of the London Estate (smart-working programme)

Various Animal Health refurbishments.

Delivery and payment for new vehicles in 2007-08 was delayed into 2008-09, hence the increase in total spend.