To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to cater for special dietary requirements of armed forces personnel on the grounds of their (a) religious belief and (b) medical condition. (115361)

[holding answer 15 January 2007]: The armed forces make every effort to cater for the special religious and medical dietary requirements of all personnel:

(a) halal, kosher and vegetarian meals can be provided by armed forces messes and are available in the form of operational ration packs for operations and exercises;

(b) the armed forces aim to meet, as far as possible, the needs of those personnel who, during their service, develop medical conditions such as coeliac disease or diabetes which require careful dietary management.