§ Mrs. Colquhounasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will introduce legislation to give public health authorities the power to inspect hospital kitchens and prosecute under the same terms as they can prosecute commercial establishments.
§ Dr. OwenNot unless statutory power was shown to be necessary, and I gather that the present arrangements are generally satisfactory. As I told my hon. Friend the Member for Leyton (Mr. Magee) in my reply to him on 19th February, health authorities were told some time ago to encourage environmental health officers to inspect their catering arrangements in all their premises, to allow access when this is requested, and to take prompt action where this is recommended. The Association of Environmental Health Officers has been asked to 147W notify my Department if there are difficulties.—[Vol. 886, c. 435.]