HC Deb 08 March 2004 vol 418 cc1353-4W
Jon Cruddas

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what training in food safety for carers of babies and pre-school children has been made available since the death of Thomas Egan to ensure that they are equipped to protect those at risk from severe food allergy. [158819]

Margaret Hodge

The national standards for under eights day care and childminding indicate that registered childcare providers should request information from parents about food allergies the child may have, and take heed of such information when providing children with food and drink. The standards also require that there is at least one member of staff with a current first aid certificate on the premises or on outings at any one time, and that the first aid qualification includes training in first aid for infants and young children. First aid training has to be consistent with any guidance issued by the Secretary of State to local authorities, who are responsible for making training available to settings. Guidance was sent to all local authorities in January 2004 and this includes the requirement that training should cover the treatment of children suffering from allergic reactions.

Alistair Burt

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many food technologists are undergoing training at places of further and higher education. [144821]

Alan Johnson

In 2001/02, 2,356 students were studying Food Science as their primary subject within Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and 158,074 were studying food science related subjects within Further Education Institutions (FEIs).