Written question asked by Greg Knight (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 November 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2010. It was answered by Stuart Bell (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 on behalf of the House of Commons Commission.

Meat: Slaughter

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission whether any (a) beef, (b) lamb and (c) chicken served in House of Commons catering outlets was slaughtered using halal methods in the last 12 months; and how customers are made aware of the slaughtering method of the meat served.

Answer: No beef or lamb purchased by the House of Commons is halal slaughtered unless specifically requested by an event organiser. However, it has recently come to the attention of the House of Commons Catering Service that it has unknowingly received supplies of poultry slaughtered using pre-stun halal methods, and consequently customers have not been made aware of this fact. Contracts for the supply of meat and poultry are currently in the process of being re-tendered and as part of that process it has become apparent that the practice of supplying halal meats and poultry is widespread in the catering supply chain. The House Service is in discussions with bidders about how this can best be managed in future.

Secondary information