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Annual Statement on the Government Wine Cellar 2015–16

My right Honourable Friend, the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Sir Alan Duncan), has made the following written Ministerial statement:

I have today placed a copy of the Annual Statement on the Government Wine Cellar for the Financial Year 2015-16 in the Libraries of both Houses.

Following the outcome of the review of the Government Hospitality Wine Cellar in 2011, this fifth Annual Statement continues our commitment to annual statements to Parliament on the use of the Wine Cellar, covering consumption, stock purchases, costs, and value for money. The wine cellar has been self-funding since 2011/12, through the sale of some high-value stock and payments made by other Government departments for events organised by Government Hospitality.

The report notes that:

• Consumption by volume fell by 32% in FY 2015/16 due to fewer Government events, particularly during the General Election period;
• Sales of stock amounted to £40,390 (cf. £71,050 in FY 14/15);
• Further funds from other government departments added £15,848 to the overall receipts (cf. £21,514 in 14/15);
• Purchases amounted to £40,177, a reduction of some 43% cf. £70,432 in 14/15;
• The highest consumption level by volume was again of English and Welsh wine, at 44% of the total (cf. 44% in 14/15).