Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures are in place in his Department to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Mrs. McGuire
The purchase of alcohol for hospitality purposes is provided as an exception only and then with the specific written authority only of a small number of designated senior civil servants. The Department for Work and Pensions does not currently monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes. Such expenditure is included within the hospitality account.

All expenditure on alcohol and entertaining falls within the classification “Hospitality” and is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.

David Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what purchasing process is used by his Department for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Mrs. McGuire
There is no purchasing process in use by the Department for Work and Pensions for the purchase of alcohol for hospitality purposes due to the fact that alcohol is provided as an exception only and then with the specific written authority only of a small number of designated senior civil servants.

All expenditure on alcohol and entertaining falls within the classification “Hospitality” and is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.