Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Senior Deputy Speaker on 31 July (HL1160), what is the price of the two English wines offered in the House of Lords; and how this compares in each case with the standard House wine on offer.

The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chairman of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf.

The price of the English still wine offered in the Peers’ Dining Room and available on request in the Barry Room is £54.00 a bottle. The price of the equivalent standard House of Lords own label wine is £18.00 a bottle. The variance in price arises because the English wine (a pinot noir) has a higher wholesale price, while the House pinot noir is purchased in larger volumes using a long-term contract. The house wine is also sold by the glass at £6.35 for 250ml and £4.80 for 175ml.

The price of the English sparkling wine offered in the Peers’ Dining Room and available on request in the Barry Room is £55.00 a bottle. The price of the equivalent House of Lords own label champagne is £47.50 a bottle. Neither is sold by the glass in the dining rooms.