§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has considered the request of Wakefield district health authority for an investigation into the value for money exercise on the introduction of cook-chill system for providing food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieWakefield health authority's resolution asks the Secretary of State 51W
to institute a public enquiry into the lengthy decision making process prior to the implementation of the cook-chill system of catering in Wakefield".Its request is still under consideration.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has received relating to(a) the transportation of solid meal components in a refrigerated state and (b) fluids being transported warm, to wards in the Wakefield health authority area under the cook-chill system; if any assessment has been made as to whether this practice conforms to the procedures recommended by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieI have received no information of the type suggested. Any assessment as to whether such practices conform to the principles contained in the Department's guidelines is primarily a matter for the Wakefield health authority advised as necessary by the Yorkshire regional health authority.
§ Mr. O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received the report of Wakefield district health authority on the annual deficit of £263,000 arriving from the introduction of the cook-chill system; if he will make provision to cover this deficit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieI have received no such report. There is no question of central funding being made available to meet the costs of the introduction of cook-chill. That is a matter for local management.