Fair trade

HC Deb 08 March 2002 vol 381 c642W

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether fair trade products are sold in her Department. [39826]

Mr. Morley

Support for Fair Trade initiatives both in developing countries and the UK has been given by the Department for International Development. This support forms part of a wider dialogue with the private sector to encourage them to adopt more socially responsible and ethical business practises.

Products are not generally sold within DEFRA other than food through catering contracts. We have no central information on the extent to which such food is fair trade.