Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is his Department's policy that government procurement cards should not be used for purchases (a) of alcohol and (b) that could be made via an alternative compliant purchasing route.

Policy governing the use of Electronic Procurement Cards (EPC) does not specifically prohibit the purchase of alcohol, but rather such purchases are subject to wider Ministry of Defence policy, rules and guidance, which place strict limits on the provision of alcohol at public expense.

It is the Department's policy that the EPC should not be used for purchases which could be procured via alternative routes, such as existing contracts or agreements, or where it is not suitable for the requirement, including more complex or higher value goods and services.