§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present weekly food allowance per inmate in prisons in England and Wales; and how the allowance is made up.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe weekly food allowance is determined by a range of dietary scales, which vary according to age and sex and also take into account religious and other beliefs. The weekly scales can be summarised as follows:
Food group Weekly allowance Milk 2,610–3,050 ml Cheese 110 g Margarine 350–450 g Vegetable oils 150–250 g Eggs 3 no Meat and meat products 11,420 g Fish 1185 g Fresh potatoes 3,150–3,920 g Fresh green vegetables 680 g Other fresh vegetables 540–830 g Processed vegetables 210–270 g Fresh fruit 1200 g Processed fruit 100 g Sugars and preserves 540–590 g Bread 1,425–2,300 g Flour and other cereals 840–1,155 g Beverages: Tea 60 g Instant coffee 5 g 1 Weekly cash allowances are provided for purchase of fresh meat, fish and fruit, to be spent at the discretion of the establishment; the weights quoted are therefore average figures. There is also a weekly cash allowance of 23p to 29p per inmate used at local discretion to extend the variety and palatability of meals.