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Ministers' red box bill tops £50k Ministers' red box bill tops £50k
(about 1 hour later)
More than £50,000 has been spent on the famous "red boxes" used by government ministers over the past few years, according to an MP's survey.More than £50,000 has been spent on the famous "red boxes" used by government ministers over the past few years, according to an MP's survey.
Of those who responded, the DTI - now Department for Business - spent the most at £13,337.50 for 18 boxes.Of those who responded, the DTI - now Department for Business - spent the most at £13,337.50 for 18 boxes.
Prices of the boxes, which are used to store government papers securely, ranged from £385 to £750 each.Prices of the boxes, which are used to store government papers securely, ranged from £385 to £750 each.
Figures were collected by John Hemming MP who criticised those departments which "squirmed" out of answering.Figures were collected by John Hemming MP who criticised those departments which "squirmed" out of answering.
All ministers are entitled to red boxes, which weigh up to 30lbs and are built to withstand most accidents.All ministers are entitled to red boxes, which weigh up to 30lbs and are built to withstand most accidents.
MONEY SPENT ON RED BOXES 2002-7 Transport - £8,853DWP - £6,588Defra - £1,500DCLG - £7,420Scotland - £1,620DCMS - £1,598DTI - £13,337.50Innovation - noneForeign Office - £6,990Wales - noneTreasury - £1,899Defence - £6,108International Dev - £1,346.55MONEY SPENT ON RED BOXES 2002-7 Transport - £8,853DWP - £6,588Defra - £1,500DCLG - £7,420Scotland - £1,620DCMS - £1,598DTI - £13,337.50Innovation - noneForeign Office - £6,990Wales - noneTreasury - £1,899Defence - £6,108International Dev - £1,346.55
They have been made the same way for centuries - a wooden base covered in roan deer leather, or cloth. The cost varies, depending on size and finish.They have been made the same way for centuries - a wooden base covered in roan deer leather, or cloth. The cost varies, depending on size and finish.
They are best known for being used by ministers to take their work home with them - and are also used to pass important documents from one department to another.They are best known for being used by ministers to take their work home with them - and are also used to pass important documents from one department to another.
The total amount spent on the boxes between May 2002 and May 2007 was £57,260.05, according to a collection of answers to questions and Freedom of Information requests submitted by Mr Hemming.The total amount spent on the boxes between May 2002 and May 2007 was £57,260.05, according to a collection of answers to questions and Freedom of Information requests submitted by Mr Hemming.
A spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said, with seven ministers, it had one of the biggest teams of all departments.A spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said, with seven ministers, it had one of the biggest teams of all departments.
"The number of boxes ordered by this department reflects the fact that it has one of the broadest remits - and therefore one of the largest ministerial teams in Whitehall," she said."The number of boxes ordered by this department reflects the fact that it has one of the broadest remits - and therefore one of the largest ministerial teams in Whitehall," she said.
Lowest spendingLowest spending
The next highest spender, according to the results was the Department for Communities and Local Government - formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - at £7,420 for eight boxes.The next highest spender, according to the results was the Department for Communities and Local Government - formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - at £7,420 for eight boxes.
The Foreign Office had bought more, but spent less, although it only had figures from 2004, since when it had bought 15 boxes at a total cost of £6,990.The Foreign Office had bought more, but spent less, although it only had figures from 2004, since when it had bought 15 boxes at a total cost of £6,990.
The lowest spending department was the Wales Office, which has only two ministers now many powers are devolved and hasn't ordered any new boxes in five years.The lowest spending department was the Wales Office, which has only two ministers now many powers are devolved and hasn't ordered any new boxes in five years.
If you don't try to improve government by getting people to answer questions you might as well just give up John HemmingIf you don't try to improve government by getting people to answer questions you might as well just give up John Hemming
Liberal Democrat MP Mr Hemming asked how many boxes had been bought, at what cost and what tendering process had been used, as part of his campaign to get ministers to answer factual questions.Liberal Democrat MP Mr Hemming asked how many boxes had been bought, at what cost and what tendering process had been used, as part of his campaign to get ministers to answer factual questions.
"It's quite a serious problem because it's one of the reasons you end up having so many disasters in government, because they just hide problems rather than getting them fixed.""It's quite a serious problem because it's one of the reasons you end up having so many disasters in government, because they just hide problems rather than getting them fixed."
'Embarrassing' question'Embarrassing' question
He said he wanted to ask all departments the same question to see which would respond.He said he wanted to ask all departments the same question to see which would respond.
"The point about this question is the answer is slightly embarrassing because the boxes are quite expensive," he told the BBC website."The point about this question is the answer is slightly embarrassing because the boxes are quite expensive," he told the BBC website.
"My overall impression was some departments are quite cavalier in their willingness to respond, to answer proper parliamentary questions."My overall impression was some departments are quite cavalier in their willingness to respond, to answer proper parliamentary questions.
Mr Hemming wanted to see which departments answered the questionMr Hemming wanted to see which departments answered the question
"It really does demonstrate that there are quite serious problems at the heart of government under the current prime minister.""It really does demonstrate that there are quite serious problems at the heart of government under the current prime minister."
Among those he accuses of "squirming" out of a response are the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice - who both used the same section of the Freedom of Information Act to justify not responding. Among those he accuses of "squirming" out of a response are the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice - both said it would cost too much to answer the question as the information was not easily accessible.
They argue Section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) "provides that information can be withheld where disclosure would make officials less willing to seek or offer free and frank advice would inhibit the frankness and candour of guidance in future." He used the Freedom of Information Act to ask them to justify their response by disclosing the advice they had been given.
But they argue Section 36 (prejudice to the effective conduct of public affairs) "provides that information can be withheld where disclosure would make officials less willing to seek or offer free and frank advice would inhibit the frankness and candour of guidance in future."
The Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (formerly education) replied that they ordered boxes "as and when they are needed", but failed to say how many.The Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (formerly education) replied that they ordered boxes "as and when they are needed", but failed to say how many.
The Cabinet Office said it had only "partial records" and the "specific information requested for the last five years could only be provided at disproportionate cost". The Home Office also said it would cost too much, as not all records were "readily accessible". The Cabinet Office said it had only "partial records" and the "specific information requested for the last five years could only be provided at disproportionate cost".
Asked why they had not given a full answer, while other departments had, both the Home Office and the Cabinet Office referred back to the letters sent to Mr Hemming.Asked why they had not given a full answer, while other departments had, both the Home Office and the Cabinet Office referred back to the letters sent to Mr Hemming.
But Mr Hemming said it would cost "about 20 quid" to answer the question - "if you don't try to improve government by getting people to answer questions you might as well just give up."But Mr Hemming said it would cost "about 20 quid" to answer the question - "if you don't try to improve government by getting people to answer questions you might as well just give up."