HC Deb 23 January 1989 vol 145 c367W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Prime Minister if she will list the respective responsibilities of the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for food inspection.

The Prime Minister

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tiverton (Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop) on 7 December 1988 at column 163 concerning the division of responsibility between the Department of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Food inspection under the Food Act 1984 is a local authority responsibility. The district councils, including London boroughs, are responsible for food hygiene and safety inspections. The county councils and the London boroughs are responsible for inspections for the composition and labelling of food.