HC Deb 02 November 1994 vol 248 cc1205-6W
Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report, column 440, how much of the wine purchased on the advice of the Government hospitality fund advisory committee for the purchase of wine comes from any of the committee members' companies.

Mr. Goodlad

Members of the Government advisory committee for the purchase of wine recommend wines as being suitable for use as a consequence of "blind" tastings when they are unaware of the provenance of the wine being assessed. Nor are members involved in decisions on purchasing which are the responsibility of officials of the fund.

One member of the committee has consultancy status with one company from which 6 per cent. of wines purchased in 1993–1994 were supplied.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report column 440, how the wine purchased by the Government hospitality fund advisory committee for the purchase of wine is used.

Mr. Goodlad

The wines purchased on the recommendation of the Government hospitality advisory committee for the purchase of wine are used only at functions which GHF provides for Ministers when giving official hospitality on behalf of Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 24 October,Official Report, column 440, what has been the annual cost of wine purchases undertaken by the Government hospitality fund advisory committee for the purchase of wine in each of the last five years.

Mr. Goodlad

The Government hospitality fund advisory committee for the purchase of wine has purchased no wine; it is involved only in recommending suitable wines for use by the fund.

Decisions on quantities needed and actual purchases are the responsibility of officials of the fund itself.

Purchases of wine by officials of the Government hospitality fund for the past five years are as follows;

  • 1989–1990 — £131,641
  • 1990–1991 — £132,926
  • 1991–1992 — £101,124
  • 1992–1993 — £ 97,622
  • 1993–1994 — £110,553

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