Listeria Poisoning (Hansard, 16 January 1989)

§ Mrs. Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley)

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the growing public concern about the new health hazard of listeria poisoning from contaminated food.

The matter is urgent because as many as 150 deaths are now estimated to take place each year from listeria poisoning. The public are hearing conflicting reports and have been given no guidelines from the Government on how they should protect themselves from this risk. The head of microbiology at Leeds university, Professor Richard Lacey, has been investigating the matter for some time. He claims that at least 25 per cent. of a test sample of pre-cooked chilled meats bought from supermarkets in Leeds was contaminated with listeria. The results of a recent survey in Bristol revealed that 60 per cent. of fresh chicken samples contained listeria. One roast chicken meal out of 20 samples of hospital food was also contaminated. Recently, in Swansea, inspectors found that 20 per cent. of cook-chill foods in several stores was also contaminated with listeria.

The bacteria can kill, and has killed, unborn and newborn babies as well as elderly people. At least two women recently have lost their babies as a result of listeria. When transmitted to humans, it can affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis and encephalitis. It can be an extremely serious health risk for the elderly and the sick. With 70,000 notified instances of food poisoning a year—double the number of four years ago—the Government's record in taking these matters seriously is far from good. As more of our food is found to be poisoned, we cannot guarantee that the Government will act swiftly enough. They failed after Chernobyl, they equivocated over salmonella in eggs and chicken, and they have been muted over concern about listeria poisoning.

We know that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has a split personality. It finds it imposssible to represent farmers and consumers at the same time. What are the consumers to do? Are they to continue to buy pre-cooked and chilled products? When will the Department of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food issue guidelines for the public? In France, Holland and Belgium health Ministers are responsible for food safety and there is the powerful Food and Drug Administration in America. However, no one protects food safety adequately in the United Kingdom. Instead, there is confusion and cover up.

I ask for an emergency debate so that we can discuss this important matter in greater detail.

§ Mr. Speaker

The hon. Lady has asked leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 20, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that she believes should have urgent consideration, namely, the serious threat of listeria to public health. As the House will be aware, under Standing Order No. 20, I must take into account the requirements of the order and announce my decision without giving reasons to the House. I have listened carefully to the hon. Lady. As she knows, my sole duty when considering an application 31 under Standing Order No. 20 is to decide whether it should be given priority over business already set down for this evening or for tomorrow. I regret that the matter she has raised does not meet the requirements of the Standing Order and I cannot therefore submit her application to the House.