§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the categories, and the numbers within them, of institutions, for which he is responsible, for which exemptions are claimed from (a) food hygiene legislation and (b) health and safety legislation on the grounds of Crown immunity; and if he will make it his policy to plan to remove the immunity for the relevant institutions.
§ Mr. HayhoeCrown immunity from prosecution under food legislation and health and safety legislation applies to the following institutions/premises for which the Secretary of State is responsible:678W
Category Number 1. Central Departmental Offices 37 2. Regional and local offices 541 3. Storage buildings 4 4. Hospitals and other health premises *2,750 5. Training establishments 7 6. Research institutions and laboratories (not forming part of an institution included in category 4) 58 7. Other Departmental premises 177 * Approximate.
These figures include premises where Crown immunity for food legislation would apply but where food sales or preparation are not at present carried out.
The right hon. Member will be aware of the Government's plans to legislate to remove Crown immunity under the food hygiene legislation from health authorities. There are no similar plans with respect to health and safety at work legislation.
The policy on Crown immunity is to consider every case on its own merits. If there is evidence of inadequate standards in particular circumstances I shall consider with colleagues how best to deal with these circumstances. This may, as in the case of hospital catering, lead to a reappraisal of Crown immunity.