Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how much her Department spent on (a) English wine and (b) wine from other countries in 2017-18.
It is not possible to separate the cost of English wine, or wine from other countries, from ‘other catering and hospitality costs’ in the Department’s finance system. As a representative department, small amounts of alcohol may be served at external events where there is a clear business need and it is appropriate given the importance of the occasion and standing of the guests, but we do not keep a separate record of this. Departmental policy states that expenditure should be kept as low as possible, and within specified limits.