Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament am 2:00 pm ar 13 Mehefin 2024.
Lorna Slater
Green
2:00,
13 Mehefin 2024
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether any of its contracted catering companies source produce or products from occupied land in Gaza or the West Bank. (S6O-03583)
Claire Baker
Llafur
Catering services at the Scottish Parliament are provided through our service partner, Sodexo. There is a focus on using local and seasonal products where possible. I am advised by Sodexo that none of its products is grown or supplied from occupied land in Gaza or the West Bank.
Lorna Slater
Green
The corporate body will be aware that the Scottish Government has a clear procurement policy note that states:
“Exploitation of assets in illegal settlements ... is likely to be regarded as constituting ‘grave professional misconduct’ for the purposes of procurement law”.
Does the SPCB share that view, and will it undertake to review the products that it sources to ensure that none comes from illegal settlements?
Claire Baker
Llafur
I appreciate the points that the member has raised. The corporate body will discuss those points, look at our procurement policy and engage with Sodexo. The member might be interested to know that the catering contract will be put out to tender within the next couple of years.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
