HC Deb 22 November 1994 vol 250 c109W
Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much each Government Department consumed in wine purchases made as a result of recommendations from the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine in each of the last five years.

Mr. Goodlad

The Government hospitality fund provides official ministerial hospitality centrally for all Ministers irrespective of Departmental portfolio. Purchases of wine are made in response to the needs of official ministerial hospitality as a whole and not on behalf of Departments. Stocks are issued as necessary for each function. There is no relationship between the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine and Departments.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total wine bill for Foreign Office events(a) in the United kingdom and (b) abroad in each of the last five years.

Mr. Goodlad

This information is not available and cannot be extracted without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Milburn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the average price of a bottle of wine purchased on the recommendation of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine.

Mr. Goodlad

The average price of a bottle of wine purchased on the recommendation of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine as at 31 July 1994 was £5.93.