§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if, since regulation 22 of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 as customarily interpreted means that all parts of the cellar of public houses must be lighted to a minimum standard of 20 lumens (220 lux) and this involves a consequential heavy financial burden on small business men, he will consult the Association of District Councils and the Association of Environmental -Health Officers with a view to agreeing with them further advice to environmental health officers;
(2) if he is satisfied that Mere is no damage to wine in the cellars of public houses from the interpretation of section 22 of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 as meaning that a minimum of 20 lumens (220 lux) of light should shine on them.
§ Dr. VaughanI have been asked to reply.
I have no information about how regulation 22 is customarily interpreted by local authorities. I have received no representations from the food trade to the effect that the provision of lighting at around the level referred to by my hon. Friend represents a heavy financial burden, or that, its intermittent use in cellars could adversely affect the quality of wine. If my hon. Friend cares to let me have further information, I will consider what action might be taken.