Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to his Department's publication of spending above £500 on government procurement cards, what goods or services were purchased from Capital Pinball on (a) 18 February 2021, (b) 11 June 2021, (c) 3 December 2021, (d) 16 December 2021, (e) 18 March 2022 and (f) 21-22 July 2022; and for what purposes they were required.

The purchases from Capital Pinball on the dates noted relate to furniture hire for larger scale functions at the British High Commission in Canberra and at Westminster House, the High Commissioner's official Residence in Canberra. These events included: the Queen's Birthday Party reception and UK in Australia's 2021 end of year stakeholder reception, both of which celebrated the UK in Australia to an audience including Ministers, parliamentarians, senior government officials and other key stakeholders; a networking reception for Labor party staffers after the Australian federal election; and a lunch for Chevening scholars.

The exchange of gifts and hospitality has long been an important part of building relations and diplomacy. All expenses undergo rigorous oversight to ensure they are reasonable and adhere to FCDO spending regulations.