All milk, cheese, butter, beef and lamb served at the Isle of Man Prison is produced locally, according to the Department of Justice and Home Affairs.

The figures were revealed by DHA Minister Jane Poole-Wilson in response to a written Tynwald question from Glenfaba and Peel MHK Katryna Baptist.

Mrs Poole-Wilson said around 70% of the pork used at the prison was also Manx-produced, with the remainder sourced from the UK.

However, all chicken comes from the UK because the island does not produce enough poultry to meet the prison's requirements.

The prison also grows its own seasonal vegetables through the prison's horticultural activities.

The minister said it was not possible to calculate precisely what proportion of vegetables came from this activity because production varied with the seasons.

Outside the growing season, some fresh vegetables are bought through a local supplier, while others come from the UK.

Mrs Poole-Wilson said the prison aimed to use Manx produce wherever practical, provided it offered value for money.

Ms Baptist also asked whether the department planned to increase the proportion of locally produced food, including the likely scale, timing and cost of any changes.

The minister said any increase would have to be funded from existing resources.

‘The Department remains supportive of sourcing Manx produce where practicable,’ she said.

‘However, given the current financial position and the need to manage the Department’s budget carefully, any increase in the proportion of Manx produce purchased would need to be achieved within existing resources and demonstrate value for money.’

The reply was the first written answer issued under the new Tynwald administration.

By then, 18 written questions had already been submitted to ministers since October 26.