§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will set out the professional qualifications held by each of his Department's safety officers responsible for carrying out hygiene inspections of prison service establishments; and how many such officers are currently in post.
§ Mr. MellorThere are six health and safety officers in post and two vacancies are being advertised. All hold the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene certificate in food hygiene and the handling of food; five hold the Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene diploma in food hygiene.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the recent instructions issued by his Department on hygiene inspection of prison establishments and on procedures to be followed in cleaning prison kitchens.
§ Mr. MellorNo. The recent instructions on hygiene inspections set out detailed arrangements for the cleaning of prison kitchens to ensure that the Department meets the requirements of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970. But it is not normal practice to publish management instructions to staff.