§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to encourage participation by his Department in fair trade fortnight from 4 to 17 March. [33541]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department have yet to receive an invitation to this event, whether as a group of delegates or as exhibitors.
Generally, national health service trusts are approached directly by the organisations that run these ventures and it is for them to decide whether to attend.
The Department for International Development is providing £120,000 to the Fair Trade Foundation over three years (2001–03) in support of its efforts to target new groups through the annual Fairtrade Fortnight campaigns. My hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for International Development will be attending the launch of this year's campaign on 4 March 2002.