§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the regulations governing the hygiene standards for retail covered markets and market stalls are the same as for wholesale covered markets and market stalls;
(2) whether there is any provision under the Food Hygiene (Market Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1966 or any other legislation to prohibit the sale of fresh meat, fish, cheese and vegetables in a covered market unless the stalls are located in a separate food hall;
(3) what guidelines his Department issues governing the maximum levels of pollution acceptable from motor vehicles delivering goods to covered retail or wholesale markets.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 20 January 1988]: The Food Hygiene (Market Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations 1966, as amended, apply to food trading undertaken at covered retail or wholesale markets, or otherwise away from fixed premises. The regulations cover all food intended for human consumption and require that food traders should take all reasonable steps to ensure that food is protected from the risk of contamination. No guidelines have been issued centrally.
It is a matter for local decision as to where such markets are held and the local environmental health department should be able to advise on the implementation of the regulations.