To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the estimated value is of central Government's stock of alcoholic beverages; and how many bottles of (a) wine, (b) beer, (c) spirits and (d) other alcoholic beverages are held by the Government. (82816)

Pursuant to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn (Mr. Straw) the then Foreign Secretary to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs Villiers) on 17 March 2006, Official Report, columns 2529-30W. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for the administration of the Government hospitality wine cellar. The cellar contains a mixture of fine and beverage wines, spirits, liqueurs and beers. The current estimated value is approximately £674,000, based on cost price. The cellar contains just over 36,500 bottles, of which fewer than 300 are spirits and liqueurs. Beer is not held in large quantities and is bought on an ad hoc basis, depending on requirements.