§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy towards the sourcing of meat and meat products for consumption in his Department's canteen. [96955]
§ Mr. StrawThe sourcing of meat and meat products for consumption in my Department's staff restaurant is a matter for the contractor, Gardner Merchant, to decide.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to require the Prison Service to buy meat exclusively from sources which match British standards of hygiene and animal welfare; and if he will make a statement; [96977]
(2) what is his policy towards the purchase of French meat and meat products by the Prison Service. [96976]
§ Mr. BoatengAll contracts for the supply of meat to the Prison Service are subject to European Union Supplies Directive 93/36/EEC. The contracts are awarded to the suppliers submitting the most economically advantageous bid. The criteria consider price, quality, delivery and service offered. The European Directive requires that all products are purchased openly and competitively to British and European standards. All Prison Service specifications for meat are written by the British Meat and Livestock commission and any company wishing to supply meat to the Prison Service must adhere to those specifications.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of meat purchased by the Prison Service is reared and produced in the United Kingdom. [96956]
§ Mr. BoatengThe proportion of meat purchased under central contract by the Prison Service by country of origin is given in the table.
However, this central contract is not mandatory and, as each prison establishment holds its own budget, purchases can be made under local arrangements from other sources. Details of these are not kept centrally. The introduction of mandatory contracts is under consideration.
Country of origin of meat purchased under central contract by the Prison Service Meat type Country of origin Percentage Pork English 100 Bacon—middle, collars and Gammons—Streaky Irish 90 Dutch 10 Beef—Dices and Minces English 100 Beef—Joints Irish 87 Zimbabwean 13 Lamb New Zealand 100 Chicken English 100 Offal English 100
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if French meat and meat products are used in food sold in his Department' s canteen; and if he will make it his policy to stop further purchases of French meat and meat products. [96978]
300W
§ Mr. StrawThe staff restaurant at the Home Office, Queen Anne's Gate and the Prison Service restaurant at Abell House are both run under contract by Gardner Merchant. I understand from Gardner Merchant that neither French meat nor meat products are used in food sold in these staff restaurants.