§ Ms WardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to introduce fair trade products at(a) meetings, (b) events and (c) catering facilities within his Department. [82872]
§ Mr. MudieThe Department of Education and Employment has sought prices for both fair trade and non-fair trade products from catering suppliers during a recent tender exercise. The Department will continue to do so. In line with Government procurement policy, the evaluation of tenders will take into account value for money considerations having due regard to propriety and regularity. Furthermore, we work closely with our current catering providers and encourage them to offer fair trade products as an option to customers in staff restaurants. Discussions are taking place to ensure that fair trade products are considered for inclusion in product specification sent out for tender.