§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much was spent on food by his Department and by each agency for which it is responsible in(a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03; what proportion of that food by value was produced in the United Kingdom; what guidance he has issued to encourage the procurement of home-grown food; and if he will make a statement. [129382]
§ Mr. Stephen TwiggIn 2001–02 DfES recorded expenditure of £448,893 on hospitality and £71,829 on contract payments. The figures for 2002–03 were £531,494 and £19,487 respectively. Expenditure on food in DfES is generally limited to official hospitality and canteen subsidies/contract payments. Records of spend on food provided at external conferences and like events are not kept centrally and so have not been included. Unfortunately, we are unable to breakdown this expenditure further. Our service provider is encouraged to purchase fresh UK produce wherever possible. Guidance produced by Defra on "Integrating Sustainable Development into Public Procurement of Food and Catering" has been issued to our service provider and associated action plan completed.