​We do not hold details of the exact savings which might be made by substituting English and Welsh wines with comparable wines from elsewhere. This would be very much dependent on the alternative comparable wines available at the time, the types of functions we were looking to use them for and the volume in which we were looking to procure them – potential economies of scale etc. However, as detailed in the Wine Cellar Annual Report, we estimate that in 2017/18 English and Welsh wine made up 57% of all Wine Cellar wine consumed in 2017/2018. The average cost of each bottle of English/Welsh wine used was around £12.96. Whereas, the overall average price of each bottle used from other countries in the same period was £12.82. However, as already mentioned the cellar has been, and continues to be, a firm supporter of the UK wine industry in line with wider Government objectives to support British business and produce. Consequently, whilst English and Welsh wines might be more expensive than some alternatives from elsewhere, the differential is sufficiently small that we believe that this still represents good value for money in the proper expenditure of taxpayers' money.

​The Government Hospitality wine cellar supplies wines and spirits for official business hospitality offered by Government Ministers to a range of domestic and international guests. The cellar has a clear objective of being able to supply the highest quality wines from around the world at the best prices, by purchasing wines young and relatively inexpensive and keeping them until they are ready to drink. The cellar has been a supporter of the UK wine industry for over 25 years and stocks a range of English and Welsh still and sparkling wines. However, some UK wines can cost more than some imported wines, and Government Hospitality must always strike a careful balance between the proper expenditure of taxpayers' money and the desire to promote UK produce. The stocking of the cellar is carefully managed to achieve the best value for money.

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.

As highlighted in the Annual Statement of 13 October (HLWS187), the average cost per bottle of wine bought by Government Hospitality in 2015-16 was £11.00. Government Hospitality does not calculate the average cost of bottles purchased by type or country of origin, as to do so would incur disproportionate costs.