§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of(a) in-house canteen and (b) other catering services provided by the Department in 2002. [104264]
§ Mr. RammellIn house catering services are provided by an external contractor. Staff pay for their own refreshments, although the FCO provides a subsidy to the contractor. The cost to the FCO for the provision of the subsidy in 2002 was £173,958.39 + VAT.
The information requested in part (b) of the question is not centrally maintained and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.