Departmental Official Hospitality

Mr. MacNeil
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how many receptions he has hosted for representatives of print and broadcast media since October 2008; how much each such reception cost; and how many people attended each such reception;

(2) how many receptions he plans to host for representatives of print and broadcast media in 2010.

Mr. Bradshaw
I have held three receptions for journalists covering the Department's sectors since October 2008. The costs of these were £1,864.54, £1,251.25 and £1,431.70. Approximately 50 people attended each event.

No receptions are currently planned, but will be considered over the course of the year as part of normal departmental business.