HC Deb 10 July 1967 vol 750 cc15-6W
83 and 84. Mr. Fowler

asked the Minister of Public Building and Works (1) what steps he is taking to prevent a recurrence of food poisoning among guests invited to official receptions given to the Foreign Office at Lancaster House;

(2) whether he will make a statement about the incidence of salmonella typhi murium among hon. Members as a result of the official reception he gave at Lancaster House on 28th June.

Mr. Prentice

The incident of suspected food poisoning at Lancaster House is being investigated by the Health Department of the City of Westminster and the other Boroughs concerned.

The West End caterer used for the occasion is of high repute and has pro- vided food for official functions over a number of years. The firm is not being used until the investigations are complete.

It is evidence of the care taken in the preparation of food for Government entertaining that, from a total of well over 600 functions per annum no previous case of a similar kind has ever been traced.