The Earl of Cranbrookasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are trying to prevent the fragmentation of public analyst services in the former county of Merseyside; and
How each district council in the former county of Merseyside is complying with its statutory duty to appoint a public analyst.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Lord Belstead)The statutory need to appoint a public analyst under the Food Act 1984 was drawn to the attention of each district council in Merseyside in a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in October 1985. The councils were asked to let the Ministry know whom they had appointed; one has replied accordingly and the others have been reminded by letter. We have no powers to direct district councils on whom they should appoint but the above-mentioned letter did draw to their attention the possible availability of the facilities operated by the former county council.