Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Government press release entitled Bid to supply soft furnishings and accessories to the British High Commission Nairobi, if she will assess the potential merits of prioritising Lancashire-based businesses for contracts.

Like other government departments, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office conducts its procurement processes in line with public procurement regulations and the principles of proportional, transparent, fair, and non-discriminatory competition. This supports delivery of value for money for the UK taxpayer.