Drinking Water

Mr. Peter Ainsworth
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many litres of bottled water were purchased by his Department in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Woodward
The following table shows the Northern Ireland Office's (excluding its agencies) expenditure the last three financial years on the provision of bottled water and ancillary services related to the provision, for example the supply of dispensers and cups.

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|       |Expenditure (£)|
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|2004-05|29,915         |
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|2005-06|33,114         |
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|2006-07|33,655         |
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Information on the number of litres acquired is not held and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The Department is now committed to progressively reducing the usage of bottled water.