§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. EggarCrown immunity from prosecution under food hygiene legislation and health and safety legislation applies to the following institutions-premises for which my right hon. and learned Friend is responsible:
Category Number Central departmental offices 19 Regional and local offices 14 Storage buildings 2 Research institutions 9 Training establishments 1 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.
650WOur policy on Crown immunity is to consider every case on its own merits. If we have evidence of inadequate standards in particular circumstances, we shall consider, with colleagues, how best to deal with these circumstances.