John A Silkstone
21-11-08, 08:43
The Ministry of Defence has decided to do without Christmas decorations, which cost £4,000 last year.
In a Commons written reply to Tory treasury spokesman Philip Hammond, junior minister Kevan Jones said that an annual £5,000 provision for festive decorations had now been removed.
He said: "Staff Christmas parties and building decorations are paid for from non-public funds or staff subscription.
"The exception is the contracted-out facilities management services for MoD Whitehall buildings, which did include an annual £5,000 provision for Christmas decorations, of which £4,000 was spent in 2007.
"This element of the contract has subsequently been removed."
Mr Jones said £700 was spent on the printing, purchase and postage of Christmas cards in 2007.
This excluded a "small amount" spent by Defence attaches for "permitted representational purposes".
Mr Jones said: "This year the MoD is increasing its use of E-cards, however in some instances, like for veterans, Christmas cards remain the most appropriate means of communication."
About time they started saving some of the money that should go to the troops.
Silky
In a Commons written reply to Tory treasury spokesman Philip Hammond, junior minister Kevan Jones said that an annual £5,000 provision for festive decorations had now been removed.
He said: "Staff Christmas parties and building decorations are paid for from non-public funds or staff subscription.
"The exception is the contracted-out facilities management services for MoD Whitehall buildings, which did include an annual £5,000 provision for Christmas decorations, of which £4,000 was spent in 2007.
"This element of the contract has subsequently been removed."
Mr Jones said £700 was spent on the printing, purchase and postage of Christmas cards in 2007.
This excluded a "small amount" spent by Defence attaches for "permitted representational purposes".
Mr Jones said: "This year the MoD is increasing its use of E-cards, however in some instances, like for veterans, Christmas cards remain the most appropriate means of communication."
About time they started saving some of the money that should go to the troops.
Silky