§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the categories, and numbers within them, of institutions, for which he is responsible, in respect of which exemptions are claimed (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. Nicholas EdwardsCrown immunity from prosecution under food hygiene legislation and health and safety legislation applies to the following institutions-premises for which I am responsible.
649W
Category Number Central departmental offices 1 Regional or local offices 44 Storage buildings 6 Hospitals and other health premises *175 Research institutions and laboratories† 5 * Approximate
† Not forming part of institutions included above
These figures include premises where Crown immunity from food hygiene legislation would apply but where food sales or preparation are not at present carried out. It would be possible to identify such premises separately only at disproportionate cost.
The right hon. Gentleman will be aware of Government plans to legislate to remove Crown immunity under the Food Hygiene Regulations from health authorities. 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.