HC Deb 30 November 1998 vol 321 c95W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the total expenditure of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine since 1 May 1997; what is the average cost of each bottle purchased; and what percentage of wine purchased is of United Kingdom origin. [60940]

Mr. Fatchett

There has been no expenditure by the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine. The Committee makes recommendations on quality only and is not involved with the purchase of wine.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what is the oldest bottle of wine held for Government hospitality purposes; [61517]

(2) what has been the most expensive bottle purchased on the recommendation of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine since 1 May 1997. [61515]

Mr. Fatchett

The purchasing policy for wines bought for the Government Hospitality cellar are the same as those that applied under previous Administrations. Wines are purchased to ensure availability at reasonable cost of appropriate wines suitable for the wide variety of functions organised by Government Hospitality.

The oldest wine in the cellar is a top grade Claret, Château Latour 1955. The most expensive bought since 1 May 1997, a Claret of equal quality, is Château La Fleur Petrus 1995, which cost £37.60 a bottle inclusive of VAT.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the members of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine; how many times the committee has met since 1 May 1997; if its deliberations are a matter of public record; and if he will make a statement. [60941]

Mr. Fatchett

The Chairman of the Government Hospitality Fund Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine is Sir Ewen Fergusson; the four members are Mr. Anthony Hanson MW, Mr. Mark Savage MW, Mr. Sebastian Payne MW and Mr. John Avery MW. The Committee has met six times since 1 May 1997 and produced an Annual Report recording its work for 1997 which was published on 28 January 1998.