MEPs’ finest to hit Brussels

Date: 22/02/1996

Good news for MEPs - the European Parliament's own-label champagne will be on sale in Brussels just as soon as work on the last phase of the office building project behind rue Belliard is completed.

Confirmation that EP champagne will be sold in a shop on the premises has come from the College of Quaestors after concern was expressed by British Labour MEP Shaun Spiers that it was only available in Strasbourg.

The issue has prompted mutterings from Conservative MEPs about this latest example of 'champagne socialism', perhaps fuelled in part by the fact that the Tories do not have a representative on the College of Quaestors, whereas Labour has Richard Balfe.

For those bubbly tipplers who cannot wait until the building work is complete, the quaestors suggest placing an order through the staff shop at the Commission.

They have also instructed administrative staff to send all MEPs an order form inviting orders for bottles or cases for delivery in Brussels.