CHARITIES BUYING GROUP

That this House welcomes the establishment by charity Leonard Cheshire of the Charities Buying Group (CBG); notes that this enables voluntary groups, charities and not-for-profit organisations, local and national, of all sizes, to become members and thus benefit from savings from purchases through buying agreements secured by the CBG; further notes that in its first year of operation, from November 2002, savings in excess of ú1 million were achieved by the 255 charities and voluntary groups, who are members of CBG, across a range of buying areas including electricity, stationery, food and other supplies; congratulates charity Leonard Cheshire for establishing a scheme which will benefit other charities as well as itself; and wishes the CBG every success with its aim of increasing its membership base to achieve savings of ú1 billion over the next five years for charities, not-for-profit organisations and voluntary groups through the use of bulk purchasing agreements.