To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid in reimbursable expenses to special advisers in his Department in each of the last five years. (320476)

For information up to 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the answer he was given on 21 July 2008, Official Report, column 765W.

Since 2007-08, the information is as follows:

Procedures for reimbursing staff expenses are set out in the Department's staff handbook, and are in line with the provisions set out in the Civil Service Management Code.