Prisons (Halal Meat)

HC Deb 08 July 1998 vol 315 c557W

Mrs. Fiona Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is given to prisons on the purchase of halal meat. [46084]

Ms Quin

Prison Governors were advised in May 1997 that halal meat should only be purchased for consumption by Muslim prisoners. Centrally contracted meat suppliers were obliged only to supply halal meat on request. It has recently come to my attention that some Prison Service establishments were providing halal meat to all prisoners, regardless of their religious beliefs. I have asked the Director General to rectify this.