Written question asked by David Wilshire (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 June 1998. It was answered by Doug Henderson (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 1998 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, for what reasons the conference table ordered by his Department for the European Summit in Cardiff is not made of British materials.

Answer: Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reasons the conference table ordered by his Department for the European Summit in Cardiff is not made of British materials. [44622] Mr. Doug Henderson: The table for the European Council meeting in Cardiff is being made by a UK company, with a UK sub-contractor, who are responsible for sourcing materials for the table against cost and quality criteria. Of the major materials used, the steel is from the UK. The MDF is from the Republic of Ireland, on grounds of cost and availability. The oak for the veneer top comes from the USA. There are two reasons for using American rather than British oak: it is cheaper (British oak would cost 40 per cent. more); and the knotting grain pattern usually found in British oak would make a consistent veneer finish significantly more difficult to make.

Secondary information