§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on food by his office 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-produced food; and if he will make a statement. [129375]
§ The Prime MinisterExpenditure on food in the Prime Minister's Office is limited to official entertainment. For the total cost to my office for all official entertainment at 10 Downing Street and Chequers, I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 28 February 2002,Official Report, columns 1444–48W, and the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 27 January 2003, Official Report, column 564W. Information on the total cost for 2002–03 is not yet available.
Information on the proportion of food by value produced in the UK is not held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has provided guidance for Government Departments and their agencies on local sourcing and how to remove obstacles to tendering faced by local and UK suppliers. The Government has a policy of achieving value for money in public procurement and ensuring that under European Commission rules, public procurement is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory.