HC Deb 22 March 2004 vol 419 cc520-1W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking encourage Government departments and agencies to offer fair trade products in their restaurants and cafeterias. [162082]

Ms Hewitt

It is government policy to promote Fairtrade products, against the background of the need to obtain best value for money, the EC procurement rules and the Department's objectives. Within these guidelines the Department and its Agencies are committed to supporting ethical trading wherever possible.

Since September 2002, I have ensured that Fairtrade tea and coffee are available throughout DTI HQ, and many of my Cabinet colleagues have done likewise. I am pleased to announce that Government departmental restaurants and cafeterias are continually adding to their range of Fairtrade products. In addition to Fairtrade coffee and tea, staff, visitors, and ministers can now enjoy Fairtrade cereal and chocolate bars, and Fairtrade hot chocolate, sweetened with Fairtrade sugar.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to encourage more companies to participate in fair trade practices. [162083]

Ms Hewitt

The Government has worked hard to encourage companies to participate in fair trade practices. The Government, through DFID, has provided £0.5 million in support for UK development awareness and education campaigns centred around fair trade over the past two years. This includes £120,000 to the media campaigns of the Fairtrade Foundation to raise both business and consumer awareness of how fair trade benefits poor producers and to increase the exposure of products carrying the Fairtrade mark.

Government support for fair trade is part of a wider programme designed to mainstream social responsible business practices in the corporate sector. The Government, through DfID, funds the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI); £1.3 million over the last three years. The ETI, an alliance of Trade Unions, NGOs and private companies, seeks to promote good practices in the implementation of labour related codes of conduct throughout the supply chain.