HC Deb 22 December 1988 vol 144 c431W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources are made available by his Department for the investigation of food poisoning.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State pays block grant to local authorities through the rate support grant system. Grant is paid on the basis of authorities' expenditure needs. In assessing needs he takes into account environmental health duties. Block grant is an unhypothecated grant and it is for individual authorities to decide how they can best meet the needs of their area.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has as to what proportion of each local authority's resources are made available for the investigation of food poisoning.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

This is a matter for each local authority to determine: the information is not held by the Department.