§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry into the establishment levels of 65W environmental health officers, the frequency of inspection of food premises and means of limiting the number of cases of food poisoning.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe establishment levels of environmental health officers are a matter for local environmental health authorities and not for central Government.
The committee on the microbial safety of food, whose terms of reference I announced on 21 February, will be able to examine all factors connected with food safety and foodborne illness, including environmental health matters.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he takes to ensure that catering systems concerned with food production for the community ensure the restraint of the growth of food-borne pathogens.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeCaterers are legally required to produce food which is safe to eat. Local authorities enforce that requirement by reference to food law and, as appropriate, other guidance and guidelines relevant to good hygienic practice in the producers and sellers premises.