§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Solicitor-General whether it is the policy of her Department to use fair trade products, as a matter of course, in(a) sales on Departmental premises and (b) receptions and meetings involving staff and visitors. [142818]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralNeither the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers nor the Serious Fraud Office sells products. It is the policy of both Departments to support the principles of government procurement ensuring that it obtains overall value for money and complies with EU procurement rules. This is the policy applied for all products.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) encourages ethical purchasing as a key element of its procurement policy. The CPS contracted catering facility at its Headquarters in Ludgate Hill, London sells a selection of Fair Trade products which are available to staff and for meetings involving staff and visitors.
HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) does not sell products of any sort on its premises. Catering for receptions and meetings involving staff and visitors is provided by local contractors. HMCPSI does not specify how contractors should obtain their supplies. The procurement policy for all goods and services is to use reliable suppliers of suitable products that offer good value for taxpayers" money. When Government policy exists in respect of specific types of goods or services then this is taken into account for contracts of material value.
The Treasury Solicitor"s Department has no provision for making sales of any sort on its premises. Fair trade tea and coffee is, however, used where it is served at meetings and receptions involving staff and visitors