To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many branded plastic bags (a) her Department, (b) the Audit Commission, (c) the Housing Corporation and (d) the Standards Board for England have procured in the last 24 months; and at what cost. (178655)

Departmental records show that there have been two orders placed in the last 24 months for 300,000 bags for the Fire Kills campaign which has helped reduce the number of deaths from fires, costing in total £19,550 excluding vat.

The Audit Commission has not acquired any branded plastic bags in the last 24 months.

The Housing Corporation has had no expenditure on these types of products.

Standards Board for England did not procure any branded plastic bags in the last 24 months.