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Department for International Development: Fair Trade Products

Volume 704: debated on Tuesday 7 October 2008

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the Department for International Development spent on refreshments in each of the past five years; and what proportion of this expenditure was on fair trade products. [HL4836]

The amounts spent on hospitality for meetings for the last three years are as follows:

2005-06: £190,826;

2006-07: £189,332; and

2007-08: £177,425.

Due to various changes in our catering service providers, we are unable to provide information for the earlier two years without incurring disproportionate cost.

Precise figures for the proportion of the spend which was fair trade are not available, but based on value it is estimated that it represents around 35 per cent. All tea and coffee served at meetings is fair trade.