§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the categories, and the numbers within them, of institutions, for which he is responsible, for which exemptions are claimed from (a) food hygiene legislation and (b) health and safety legislation on the grounds of Crown immunity; and if he will make it his policy to plan to remove the immunity for the relevant institutions.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerCrown immunity from prosecution under food hygiene legislation and health and safety legislation applies to the following institutions-premises for which I am responsible:
Category Number Central departmental offices 1 Gas and Oil Measurement Branch specialised building 1 Storage buildings 2 In addition to these installations, I am responsible for the Government oil pipeline and storage system which is managed by the Oil and Pipelines Agency. This comprises over 1,000 miles of pipeline with 23 active storage facilities and 24 sites in varying stages of disposal.
These figures include premises where Crown immunity for food hygiene legislation would apply, but where food sales or preparation are not at present carried out.
Our policy on Crown immunity is to consider every case on its merits. If we have evidence of inadequate standards in particular circumstances, I shall consider, with colleagues, how best to deal with these circumstances.