Top Secret

My, aren't Parliamentary Questions interesting in today's Hansard? How could disclosing the origin of where your crockery and cutlery comes from be a matter of national security? Someone? Please?

"Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of the (a) crockery, (b) cutlery and (c) glassware procured by her Department over the last five years is of British manufacture. [170811]

"Ms Hewitt: All crockery is of UK manufacture. Any cutlery and glassware purchased has been through UK suppliers and manufactured outside the UK.

"As a Government department we ensure that EU procurement rules are followed and these rules do not allow the specification of a particular country of origin except in very specific circumstances (such as for reasons of national security). Responsibility for procuring and maintaining stocks of crockery, cutlery and glassware for the DTI HQ restaurants and hospitality services lies with the catering contractor."(Hansard, 11 May 2004, col. 249w)