§ Mr. Butterfillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are currently being taken under European Community Council Regulations to check the levels of radiation contamination of food imported into the United Kingdom; and with what results.
§ Mr. NewtonEuropean Council Regulation EEC No. 1707/86 of 30 May 1986 set out maximum permitted levels of radiocaesium for imports of food into the Community on an emergency basis following the Chernobyl nuclear accident. The arrangements have been extended to 31 October 1987 by Council Regulation EEC No. 624/87 pending further scientific evaluation.
The regulation requires certification or testing of food imports from third countries. In the 10 months to March
200W a large number of samples have been tested. All but 18 were below the levels set out in the regulation. The 18 consignments concerned have been refused entry into the United Kingdom.
Table 1 Current expenditure by health authorities analysed by function 1985–86 1984–85 £ million per cent. £ million per cent. A. Patient care services i Medical Staff Services 901.9 9.39 820.0 8.98 ii Nursing Staff Services 3,284.8 34.18 3,092.2 33.85 iii Other Direct treatment Services and Supplies 864.8 9.00 810.2 8.87 iv Diagnostic Departments 531.2 5.53 483.6 5.30 V Other Medical and Para Medical Services, Ambulance Services etc 765.1 7.96 722.4 7.90 Total 6,347.8 66.06 5,928.4 64.90 B. General Services i Unit Administration and Clerical Support Services 575.0 5.98 542.7 5.94 ii Medical Records 105.9 1.10 99.8 1.09 iii Training and Education 53.3 0.55 50.5 0.55 iv Catering 355.1 3.70 354.1 3.88 V Domestic/Cleaning 404.0 4.20 417.6 4.57 vi Portering 149.3 1.55 146.4 1.60 vii Laundry 63.9 0.66 64.1 0.70 Viii Linen Services 121.2 1.26 114.8 1.26 ix Transport 46.9 0.49 44.7 0.49 X Engineering maintenance 270.6 2.82 262.7 2.88 xi Energy and Utility Services 319.9 3.33 329.4 3.61 xii Building Maintenance 165.0 1.72 167.0 1.83 xiii Grounds and Gardens 21.8 0.23 22.3 0.24 xiv General Estate Expenses 173.0 1.80 164.4 1.80 XV Miscellaneous Services and Expenses (0.4) — 3.7 0.04 Total 2,824.5 29.39 2,784.2 30.48 C. Other i Headquarters Administration 374.4 3.90 361.4 3.96 ii Other Services and Expenses 62.7 0.65 60.8 0.66 I am placing a copy of the results of the monitoring in the Library.