§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has estimated the cost of bringing National Health Service hospitals up to present public health standards; and whether he will make new money available for this purpose.
§ Mr. HayhoeI assume the hon. Member is referring to the standards required by the food hygiene legislation. On estimates of costs, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 4 February at column141.
My right hon. Friend announced on 6 February at column 211 the Government's intention to bring forward legislation this Session to apply the food hygiene provisions of the Food Act 1984 to health authorities. Any extra costs should be met from within health authorities' existing allocations.