Response
Trees at Christmas are provided and transported by the Forestry Commission, free of charge. All Forestry Commission trees are sustainably grown on plantations in the UK and are grown especially for the Christmas tree market. They are harvested between six and ten years old and for every tree felled at least one is planted.
The information given below represents the identifiable costs to the House of Commons associated with Christmas trees, their decorations and other decorations in the House. These costs include the cost of erecting the trees, the crane used to assist with the light fixing and the cost of dismantling and disposal of the trees as green waste.
Identifiable costs:
| Year |
Christmas Trees* |
Decorations |
Total
|
| 2011 |
£6,963 |
£0 |
£6,963
|
| 2010 |
£26,943 |
£130 |
£27,073
|
| 2009 |
£19,182 |
£1,240 |
£20,422
|
* These figures refer to the costs involved in installing, lighting and later removing trees on the Parliamentary Estate.
Costs related to Christmas trees were higher in 2010 due to the purchase of a Christmas tree support at £9,166.60. Additionally, a reusable base was purchased in this year, with both items in turn reducing expenditure for 2011. The House of Commons 2012 budget for trees is £12,000. No budget is held for decorations.
Unidentifiable costs:
It is not possible to provide a greater level of detail showing itemised costs for individual decorations nor the costs of staff hours spent erecting and dismantling Christmas trees because this information is not held.
In addition to the above, staff of the House of Commons may purchase and erect decorations at their own expense and in their own time (lunch breaks etc). Neither the amount of money nor time spent by the staff on this activity are recorded or held by the House.