§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of fair trade goods. [15202]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport recognises the public desire to purchase ethically and environmentally sound goods where this is practical. It is inherent in the Department' s environmental management system that it should seek to influence the supply chain in favour of fair trade type goods but, at the same time the expenditure of public money demands that procurement must achieve value for money via a competitive market. Where fair trade can compete successfully against other suppliers for cost, quality and service the Department will give preference to the ethical and environmentally acceptable option.