§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to(a) hospitals and (b) other NHS bodies of implementing the charges for the proposed Food Standards Agency. [81795]
§ Mr. HuttonNo such estimate has been made. Under the Government's proposals, food retail and catering businesses in hospitals and other National Health Service bodies will be liable for the levy if they are required to register with their local authority under the Food Premises (Registration) Regulations 1991, as amended in 1997. We received a large response to public consultation on the draft legislation and proposals for a levy scheme. We will introduce a Bill this session if time is available.