Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 21 September to Question 47401, if the payments made by his Department to Finishing Touches of (a) £2,360 on 15 November 2021, and (b) £1,973.30 on 22 March 2022, were subject to his Department’s normal assurance checks on the use of government procurement cards.

Yes we are content that the referenced payment was subject to normal FCDO controls and in line with government procurement card policy. These were payments for repair, maintenance, cleaning or replacement of furnishings and fittings at official offices and residences.