§ Lord Monsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have banned the provision of pork to British military personnel serving in the Middle East; and, if ,30, which countries if any, have demanded such a ban. [HL479]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)British service personnel are currently deployed in the Middle East in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Food supplies for these personnel are procured under local arrangements. Her Majesty's Government have not banned the provision of pork to British military personnel serving in the Middle East or in any other theatre of operation but abide by the requirements of the host nation. The import of pork is not permitted in Bahrain, Kuwait or Saudi Arabia on religious grounds and is therefore not available to our personnel.