HC Deb 17 November 1997 vol 301 c46W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the oral Statement by the Secretary of State for International Development,Official Report, 5 November, column 332, if he will instruct officials to serve coffee and tea furnished by suppliers who adhere to fair trade standards in his Department. [15492]

Mr. Straw

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave on 13 NovemberOfficial Report, column 617. All procurement decisions in my Department are based on the Government's policy of value for money. However, we are making inquiries across the Office with regard to the implications of offering such "fair trade" products.