§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 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. [129379]
§ Mr. PearsonExpenditure on food in NICS Departments is generally limited to official hospitality and staff catering subsidies of approximately £700,000 per annum in both 2001–02 and 2002–03. Staff catering services have been contracted out since the early '90s and the purchase of food is therefore the responsibility of the private sector catering service providers.
Departments do not have detailed information to identify what proportion of that food by value was produced in the Untied Kingdom other than statements from catering service providers that, where possible, the majority of fresh food would be sourced in Northern Ireland.
207WNo guidance has been issued encouraging the procurement of home produced food; however, my Department is liasing with the Departments of Environment and Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland and nationally with the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in developing policy and best practice guidance on food procurement to ensure quality standards and value for money. This process has also involved consultation with stakeholders including the World Wildlife Fund, Livestock Marketing Commission and Ulster Farmers Union.