HC Deb 11 January 1999 vol 323 c91W
Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of the pigmeat imported from outside the United Kingdom which was purchased for consumption in prisons in each of the last three years. [65118]

Mr. George Howarth

Up to and including 31 March 1998, all pigmeat consumed in prisons in England and Wales was produced by the Prison Service's own farms. Since that date, all pigmeat has been purchased on contract.

The contractors have advised that all pork supplied to the Prison Service has been of British origin, as has 80 per cent. of the bacon. The remaining 20 per cent. of bacon was imported, primarily from Holland, and cost approximately £60,000.