To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many (a) glass and (b) plastic bottles of water were bought by the House in 2006; and how many were returned to the supplier for re-use. (134878)

The House of Commons Refreshment Department purchases water in 500ml and one litre bottles for resale and for use in Committees and other meetings. The number of bottles purchased in the financial year 2006-07 was as follows:

None of these bottles was returned to the supplier for re-use. They are, however, recycled and in the financial year 2006-07 the House sent 174.2 tonnes of glass and 2.7 tonnes of plastic bottles for recycling.

Other Departments purchase 18.5 litre bottles for use in chilled water dispensing machines. These are returned to the supplier for re-use. The number purchased during 2006-07 was 651.