§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is in relation to departmental spending for supplies concerning the purchase of Fair Trade goods. [15203]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 16 November 2001]: The supply of food for the armed forces has been contracted out to "3663" and we require them to seek the best price in the open market, consistent with meeting our quality standard; indeed to do otherwise would contravene European law. In the case of Fair Trade products, it is my Department's policy to require the contractor to give full consideration to such goods whenever they meet these criteria.