Government Wine Cellar

Mark Simmonds Excerpts

Tuesday 5th February 2013 Written Statements

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

I have today placed a copy of the annual statement on the Government wine cellar for the financial year 2011-12 in the Libraries of both Houses.

Following the outcome of the review of the Government hospitality wine cellar announced by the then Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham)— 13 May 2011, Official Report, column 48WS—this first annual statement meets our commitment that there would be an annual statement to Parliament on the use of the wine cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money.

The report notes that:

The wine cellar has already moved to a self-funding regime, through the sale of some high-value stock;

Sales of stock amounted to £44,000;

Further funds from other Government Departments added £10,519 to the overall receipts;

Purchases amounted to £48,955;

Highest consumption level by volume was French wine, followed by English wines in second place.