HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 cc698-9W
Mr. Hinchliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to amend national guidelines on hospital food to cover the usage of cook-chill catering methods; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 23 July.

Mr. Hinchliffe

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will arrange for his Department's inspectorate to undertake an urgent inquiry into proposals by Wakefield District Health Authority to introduce a cook-chill system of catering into Wakefield hospitals.

Mrs. Currie

No. The Yorkshire regional health authority has set up an expert committee which is looking at the implementation in the Region of cook-chill, which can offer a safe and cost-effective way of providing patients with good quality food.

Mr. Corbyn

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the total number of National Health Service patient meals produced by cook-chill and their proportion of the total; and what was the equivalent figure for each of the years since 1982, by National Health Service region.

Mrs. Currie

I regret that this local information is not collected centrally.