To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of food bought by the armed forces in the last 12 months was produced in the UK. (107056)

[holding answer 6 December 2006]: The MOD's food supply contract was re-let in June this year. The transition between contractors means that information on the proportionate volume from particular countries of origin is not available without incurring disproportionate cost.

There are however, over 1,200 different products currently procured by the food supply contractor for the UK armed forces; over 800 of these are British. The remaining 400 include products such as fresh fruit and vegetables which are sourced from various countries on a seasonal basis, and others that are not produced in this country, such as coffee and bananas.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to encourage the procurers of food supplies for the armed forces to purchase British produce. (107057)

[holding answer 6 December 2006]: The MOD has a single global food supply contract with Purple Foodservice Solutions under which the contractor is responsible for supplying food to the armed forces both in the UK and on operations worldwide. In accordance with the MOD’s procurement policy the contractor is encouraged to purchase British produce whenever it is competitive and consistent with meeting the quality standards. The MOD is currently working with DEFRA and industry to maximise the competitiveness of British produce.