HC Deb 29 January 1968 vol 757 cc874-5
41. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the Lord President of the Council why, apart from specific requirements, the Refreshment Department of the House of Commons buys all its wines through shippers from France; and if he will return to the former policy of providing Commonwealth and South African wines at moderate prices for the use of Members and their guests in the dining rooms of the House.

Mr. Maxwell

I have been asked to reply.

No, Sir. We will not return to the former practice of buying wines through multiple shippers.

All wines are bought through one shipper, since in this way we have liberated some £10,000 in capital and are able to purchase on very favourable terms.

Commonwealth wines may at present be purchased only by special order, but the Catering Sub-Committee are currently considering the purchasing of Australian wines.

Sir Knox Cunningham

But does that Answer mean that as a matter of policy there will be no wines from South Africa—[HON. MEMBERS: "No"]—and does it really mean—[HON. MEMBERS: "From Cyprus?"]—that whether we can buy Cyprus or South African or other Commonwealth wines—[An HON. MEMBER: "Russian vodka?"]—or Russian vodka, will depend on the political views of the Kitchen Committee?

Mr. Maxwell

No. The purchase of wines is not determined on questions of politics. It is a question of demand. We do have demand for Australian wines, and we are looking into it. If there should be demand for Australian or Cyprus or Russian wines we will——

Sir Knox Cunningham

And South African?

Mr. Maxwell

—or South African—we will look into it.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is it not gratifying that the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Maxwell) has said what he has said about there being no disposition to discriminate on political grounds, because would it not be extremely unfortunate if the British House of Commons were known to be discriminating against products from the Commonwealth preference area?

Mr. Maxwell

We do not propose to differentiate on a political basis between what goods we in the Department buy. We buy in the best possible market to get the best possible produce for hon. Members and their guests, and the staff.