HL Deb 27 July 1983 vol 443 c1612WA
Lord Allen of Abbeydale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many patients have died in hospitals for mentally-handicapped persons in England and Wales as a result of food poisoning during the latest period of twelve months for which figures are available.

Lord Glenarthur

In 1981, the last year for which figures are available, two patients in hospitals for mentally handicapped persons in England died from intestinal infectious diseases, but a special analysis of the data will be required to establish whether these deaths were food poisoning cases. A special analysis of the data for Wales is also needed. I will write to the noble Lord with the results.