§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the applicability of EC rules to abattoirs in the Falkland Islands and its consequences for the supplying of meat for consumption by British service men.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe Falkland Islands are not within the territorial scope of the European Community 587W treaties, and EC hygiene rules do not apply there. It is Ministry of Defence policy to supply service personnel overseas with food of an equivalent standard to that which they could expect in the United Kingdom. Where it is possible to purchase food locally, the Ministry of Defence will do so, provided that this food offers quality, a varied diet and value for money. Where it is not possible to meet these requirements locally, food is supplied from other sources.