Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to his Department’s publication of spending over £500 with a Government procurement card, what the (a) purpose of, (b) location of and (c) guest list was for the events for which Mackintosh Catering was paid (i) £4,237.80 on 5 January 2021, (ii) £4,901.40 on 20 September 2021, (iii) £3,549.40 from 14-16 December 2021 and (iv) £7,046.76 on 3 March 2022.

These relate to a range of events held at 10 Downing Street, 1 Carlton Gardens and Lancaster House, including events hosted by the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Chief of Defence Staff for international delegations. The exchange of hospitality has long been an important part of building relations and diplomacy.

The payment dates refer to the dates the caterers were paid, and are not the dates events took place on.

All events took place in-line with HMT guidelines and fully complied with any COVID regulations and social distancing guidance that may have been in place at the time. Expenditure was subject to normal FCDO controls and an appropriate use of public money.