§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the delay in answering the question on food safety put down for answer on 15 December 1988 by the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley), eventually answered on 15 February 1989, giving details of each stage in the processing of question and answer.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI have already apologised to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) for the delay in answering his question at column864 during the debate on 21 February 1989, but I am happy to repeat that apology.
The reply which I gave him on 15 February 1989 answered only the first part of his question. The delay arose because officials were attempting to collect information on staffing levels and costs over the past five years, but eventually had to conclude that this could be achieved only at disproportionate cost. As soon as that decision was taken, the answer was processed without delay.