§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Solicitor-General how much was spent on food by the 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 she has issued to encourage the procurement of home-grown food; and if she will make a statement. [129385]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralExpenditure on food in the Crown Prosecution Service is generally limited to official hospitality provided by the Crown Prosecution Service and a canteen subsidy. Records of spend on food provided at some external conferences and like events are not kept centrally and so cannot be included.
332WIn 2001–02 the Crown Prosecution Service recorded expenditure of £23,000 on hospitality and £110,000 on a canteen subsidy. The figures for 2002–03 were £20,000 and £83,000 respectively.
Information made available by the canteen service providers indicates that on average 30 per cent. of the food they procure is produced in the United Kingdom. It is not possible to assume a monetary value of UK food supplied to the Crown Prosecution Service indirectly through the subsidy because the subsidy contributes to items other than food.
Expenditure on food by HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate is generally limited to official hospitality and meeting refreshments. HMCPSI does not provide any canteen facilities.
HMCPSI did not purchase any unprepared food supplies during 2001–02 or 2002–03. Expenditure on meeting refreshments and meals, supplied by external caterers, was £1,600 in 2001–02 and £1,700 in 2002–03. There was additional relevant expenditure in financial year 2002–03 attributable to a reception to launch the HMCPSI Annual Report and two seminars hosted by the Inspectorate.
HMCPSI does not record what proportion of its food supplies are UK produced.
Expenditure on food by the Serious Fraud Office is generally limited to official hospitality and meeting refreshments. The SFO does not provide any canteen facilities. Total expenditure within these categories for each of the two years was £19,000 in 2001–02 and £20,000 in 2002–03. The further breakdown to amounts spent on food and its place of production is not available.
Expenditure on food in the Treasury Solicitor's Department and the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers is limited solely to hospitality. There is no staff canteen. There is, therefore, no regular purchase of food.
The amounts spent in 2001–02 and 2002–03 on hospitality were less than £10,000 in both years.