asked the Chairman of Committees:

Further to his Written Answers on 3 April (WA 198) and 29 April (WA 18), what priority is given to (a) the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative; (b) farm assurance; (c) animal welfare; and (d) health and nutrition, when purchasing bacon; and whether the policy on purchasing bacon has been reviewed in the light of the change in value of the pound in relation to the euro. [HL4826]

The Refreshment Department follows House of Lords procurement policy which is based on value for money with due regard to propriety and regularity. Value for money is defined as “the optimum combination of whole-life cost and quality (or fitness for purpose) to meet the customer's requirement”. The House is responsible for ensuring it complies appropriately with its legal obligations under the European Union and national procurement rules and other international agreements. Consideration is given to objectives of the Public Sector Procurement Initiative which include farm assurance, animal welfare and health and nutrition as part of the tendering process for supplies.

The procurement of bacon is included in the three-year meat supplies framework contract which commenced in September 2006. The policy on purchasing bacon has been reviewed but no change has been made as Dutch bacon continues to represent better value for money per kilo than English bacon. Since January, Dutch bacon has increased in price by 18.4 per cent from £3.92 to £4.64 per kilo and English bacon has increased by 15.8 per cent from £6.33 to £7.33 per kilo.