Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 18 December 2014 to Question 217721, when the catering arrangements were extended to assist with Op SHADER; what choices were in place on 4 December 2014; and if he will make a statement.

The catering arrangements for personnel deployed on OP SHADER who are based at Akrotiri are set out below:

· from 8 August 2014, deployed personnel were fed three meals per day in the respective messes, there was no requirement for duty meals;

then in addition to three daily mess meals:

· from 10 August 2014 personnel were provided with packed meals to eat while on duty;

· from 13 August 2014 a duty meal was provided between 2100 and 2300 in the Junior Ranks dining facility;

· since 21 October 2014 a duty meal has been provided at 2300 at the place of work.

On 4 December 2014, those deployed on OP SHADER had the following food choices:

· for breakfast from 0600 to 0830: a choice from an English-style breakfast, assorted cereals and milk;

· for lunch from 1230 to 1430: five hot meal options, a salad bar, a selection of sandwiches, assorted confectionary, hot and cold drinks;

· for dinner from 1630 to 1930: five hot meal options, seven side dishes, a salad bar, four desert options, assorted confectionary, hot and cold drinks;

· for the duty meal at 2300: at the place of work two or three hot options from the lunch or dinner menu, a choice of sandwiches, fruit, hot and cold drinks.

All of these meals are provided at Crown expense.