§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure on wine for Government hospitality purposes since 1 May 1997; what is the average cost of each bottle purchased; and what percentage of wine purchased is of UK origin. [62422]
§ Mr. FatchettThe cost of wine purchased for all Government Hospitality purposes from 1 May 1997 to 25 November 1998 was £146,985 inclusive of VAT (the cost of wine purchased for all Government Hospitality purposes from 1 November 1995 to 30 April 1997 was £192,604 inclusive of VAT). The average cost per bottle was £11.72 inclusive of VAT. English and Welsh wines comprised 4 per cent. of the total bought.