How many thousand?
'A few.'

Who paid this few thousand?
'It came from the Project Development Budget.'

Who finances the Project Development Budget?
'The Greater London Authority.'

Who finances the Greater London Authority?
'Well, you know the answer to that.'

Perhaps, but please remind me.
'I've answered your question.'

Who paid for this political reception at City Hall?
'It was a recognition of representative groups who…'

I understand, but who paid for it? The public?
'Well, that's your interpretation.'

And so it went on till my interlocutor exhausted what was undeniably an impressive stock of circumlocutions. He undertook to send me an official answer to my questions.

Unfortunately he didn't. I thus phoned him again yesterday...