§ Mr. StevensonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the policy is of his Department regarding the use of goods and products manufactured in the UK by overseas embassies and consulates. [121097]
§ Mr. RammellAll goods and products used by overseas embassies and consulates are purchased in line with FCO purchasing policy.
FCO purchasing policy is in accordance with the Government's Public Purchasing Consolidated Guidelines, which require the procurement of goods and services to be based on value for money and that they should be acquired by competition unless there are convincing reasons to the contrary.
Dates Destination Purpose of trip Interlocutors Cost of Public funds (if yet available) Gifts received (if any) 2003 2 to 3 April Berlin and Brussels Bilateral to Berlin and visit to NATO Brussels Berlin: German Foreign Minister NATO Secretary General. US Secretary of State £8,095.71 8 to 9 April Paris and Madrid Bilateral Paris: French Foreign Minister Madrid: Spanish Foreign Minister £8,688.75 13 to 16 April Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and Riyadh Bilateral Bahrain: King, Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Kuwait: Amir, Foreign Minister, British/US Military and NGOs Doha: Amir, Foreign Minister and and British/US Military Riyadh: King, Crown Prince, Foreign Minister Not yet available Bahrain: Porcelain vase and rug Qatar: Arabian Oryx statue 16 April Athens Informal European Council and Signature of the Accession Heads of State/Government and Foreign Ministers Not yet available Silver and plate given by the Greek Foreign Minister 17 April Athens European Conference Heads of State/Government and Foreign Ministers Not yet available 24 April Brussels Bilateral French and German Foreign Ministers, EU Secretary-General and High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy £2549.42 2 to 3 May Rhodes, Greece Gymnich (informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers) EU Foreign Ministers £15,953.50 Three jars of olives and two CDs given by the Greek Foreign Minister. 12 to 14 May Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town Bilateral and attendance at the Walter Sisulu memorial service President, Sports Minister, Foreign Minister, opposition leader. Not yet available Shirt and writing pad given on behalf of Nelson Mandela 19 May Brussels GAERC EU Foreign Ministers £3,305.33 22 to 23 May Paris G8 Foreign Ministers meeting G8 Foreign Ministers £2,820.49 3 June Madrid NATO Foreign Ministers meeting NATO Foreign Ministers Not yet available 16 June Luxembourg GAERC EU Foreign Ministers Not yet available 19 to 21 June Porto Carras, Greece European Council and EU/Western Balkans Summit Heads of State/Government and Foreign Ministers Not yet available