To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the policy of the Northern Ireland Prison Service is on whether food and other supplies for prisons should be purchased locally. (268979)

All food and other supplies for the Northern Ireland Prison Service are tendered under European competition and awarded in line with the European procurement directives and public contract regulations 2006 and amendments.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service actively encourages local small and medium size enterprises to participate in procurement competitions in line with Northern Ireland public procurement policy.