Cost of the Department of Foreign Affairs Budget Vote for 2006

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 838

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20 OF 04 AUGUST 2006

Mr. D H M Gibson (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Whether any function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of her budget vote in the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces in 2006; if so, (a) what total amount was spent on this function, (b) from which budget was the money allocated, (c) what amount was spent on (i) food and refreshments, (ii) venue, (iii) entertainment, (iv) staff and (v) transport and (d) how many people were invited to attend the function? N1035E

REPLY:

1. Yes, two functions were hosted by the Department of Foreign Affairs to mark the occasion of the delivery of the Minister's budget vote. One was a dinner on the 29th May 2006 and a breakfast on the 30th of May 2006.
a) The total amount spent on the dinner was R 57 900.80
Total amount spent on the breakfast was R 28 650.00
b) Vote funds, Chief Directorate: Public Diplomacy's Budget
c) i. Dinner = R26 060.80; Breakfast = R 18 900.00
ii. The amount spent on food for the dinner included venue costs
Venue costs for breakfast = R 9750.00
iii. Entertainment was only provided for the dinner the total cost was R31 840
iv. None for both functions
v. None for both functions
d) 120 guests were invited for the dinner; 140 guests for the breakfast