PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Official Gifts (12 December 2022)

The FCDO fulfils the requirement, established since 2010, for government departments to publish transparency data in line with the Ministerial Code. The full set of FCDO published transparency returns, which include ministerial gifts (since the department's formation in September 2020), can be found at: FCDO: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Pre-merger transparency data for FCO diplomatic ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings to October 2020 can be found here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/minister-data#full-publication-update-history and FCDO data since October 2020 FCDO: ministerial gifts, hospitality, travel and meetings here https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fcdo-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings

It is recognised across HMG that the exchange of gifts and hospitality has long been an important part of building relations, particularly overseas. Purchases undergo rigorous oversight to ensure all gifts and hospitality given are appropriate, proportionate and open, recorded in line with guidance and that staff undertake mandatory anti-corruption training while delivering best value to the taxpayer.