Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Southern health and social services board decided to promote the substitution of tinned and frozen foods for fresh food; what policy decisions have been made by each of the other area health boards in this respect; and whether he approved the policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe Southern health and social services board aims to provide nourishing and balanced meals for its patients, staff and clients. Quality fresh, frozen, chilled, dried and tinned foods are all used as appropriate to the catering arrangements at individual facilities. This is a long established policy. A similar approach is adopted in the other health and social services boards. All boards continually review their catering policies to take account of developments in food technology.