Drink sales (2019)

Response

1. The most bought item from the bar, listing the top ten and how much they cost the bar
&
2. I'd like this listed in the top 10 from the start of 2019 with quantity and costs
&
3. I'd like this broken into each bar as well and where they are located

This information is held by the House of Commons.
The requested information for the months of January and February 2019, for all the House of Commons bars.
The information provided includes the names of top 10 most bought products per bar, the quantity purchased and the total purchase cost per bar.

Please note, we have withheld the cost figures for each product. This is because the specially negotiated cost prices that we pay for these items is commercially sensitive information. If we provided both the numbers purchased and the amount this cost the House of Commons, it would be possible to work out these. We have concluded that this information is exempt under section 43(2) of FOIA because the disclosure of this information would be prejudicial to the House's and the suppliers' commercial interests. This is a qualified or non-absolute exemption and the public interest test applies.

We have considered the public interest in the disclosure of this information. These factors include the importance of transparency in the decision making process relating to the spending of public money to ensure that procurement processes are conducted in an open and honest way. It is also important for the public to see taxpayers' money being used effectively and public authorities getting value for money. We have also considered the public interest in withholding this information. If disclosed, there is a strong risk that the House's bargaining position for the future will be prejudiced and commercial organisations may become reluctant to enter into further free and frank negotiations. This would undermine the House's ability to fulfil its role effectively and prevent it from achieving the value for money that is so important. The commercial interests of the third parties with whom we do business may also be prejudiced if details of specific prices or services are disclosed to the public and their competitors. For these reasons we consider that the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It may also interest you to know that the House of Commons' Catering Service recognises its responsibility to carry out its procurement activities in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. For further details, you may wish to take a look at our Responsible Catering policy, which can be found on our parliamentary pages.