Commons gets halal meat 'unknowingly'

The Commons catering service "unknowingly received" supplies of poultry slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law and customers were "not made aware", Sir Stuart Bell, representing the House of Commons Commission, said.

A newspaper investigation earlier this year found that halal meat was being served in many schools, hospitals, pubs and sporting venues without diners being told.

Sir Stuart said it had come to the attention of the House of Commons catering service that it had unknowingly received supplies of poultry slaughtered using halal methods.

Animal welfare campaigners want a ban on the Islamic method of slaughter in which animals are not stunned before being killed.