Government Wine Cellar

Thursday 11th July 2013 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mark Simmonds)]

I have today placed in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the annual statement on the Government wine cellar for the financial year 2012-13.

Following the outcome of the review of the Government hospitality wine cellar, this second annual statement meets our commitment that there would be annual statements to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money. The wine cellar is now self-funding through the sale of some high-value stock and payments made by other Government Departments to Government hospitality.

The report notes that:

Sales of stock at auction amounted to £63,300, an increase in revenue from sales of nearly 50% from 11-12;

Further funds from other Government Departments added £22,129 to the overall receipts (over 100% increase cf. 11-12);

Purchases amounted to £45,866 (cf. £48,955 in 11-12);

For the first time ever the highest consumption level by volume was of English wine, at 49% of the total.