§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State far Northern Ireland if he will state the number of food poisoning cases in each area board in the last five years far which figures are available.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information is as follows:
Eastern Northern Southern Western 1984 43 50 37 15 1985 62 31 60 5 1986 97 107 48 21 1987 193 145 69 16 1988 95 104 57 46
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which Departments in Northern Ireland are responsible for consumer food safety.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Agriculture.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to up-date the law on food safety in Northern Ireland; when his Department last reviewed existing legal provision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Food Acts of the United Kingdom (which include law on food safety) were reviewed in 1984 503W by officials of the United Kingdom Health and Agriculture Departments. Following that review Ministers agreed that consultations should be carried out on the future of those Acts, and those consultations are now largely complete. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced in the House on 16 March, new legislation will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. In accordance with normal practice in the field of transferred legislation, comparable provision will be made for Northern Ireland by Order in Council under the Northern Ireland Act 1974.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what responsibilities health and social services boards have in the area of food safety.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 5 May 1989]: Health and Social Services boards are responsible for investigating food poisoning cases reported by doctors under the Public Health Act (NI) 1967 as amended. In addition, under the Food and Drugs Act (NI) 1958, a chief administrative medical officer of a health and social services board may, if he suspects that any food is likely to cause food poisoning, seize that food and have it tested. If investigations confirm that the food is unfit for human consumption it may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he has any plans to reform the law in Northern Ireland as it applies to food and hygiene; which Northern Ireland departments are responsible for food safety; and how many staff from each Department have been involved in this area in the last three years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Needham[holding answer 5 May 1989.] The Food Acts of the United Kingdom were reviewed in 1984 by officials of United Kingdom Health and Agriculture Departments. Following that review Ministers agreed that consultations should be carried out on the future of those Acts, and those consultations are now largely complete. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries
Cost of education in Northern Ireland prisons 1985–1989 £000 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 Belfast 96.2 118.3 118.7 130.3 Maze (Cellular) 172.8 205.0 276.8 356.6 Maze (Compound) 108.2 94.9 46.7 Maghaberry (Male) 0.1 0.1 5.5 40.1 Maghaberry (Female) — 32.9 37.2 47.0 Armagh 37.0 1.6 — — Magilligan 59.6 87.3 93.5 98.7 Young Offenders Centre, Hydebank 111.4 106.7 115.3 129.0 Total 585.3 646.8 693.7 801.6 Library books available to inmates (approx) 40,000 41,000 41,000 35,000 Notes:
1. The increased costs for the year 1988–89 can be attributed to the national increase in teachers' salary scales. This normally accounts for 90 per cent. of the total expenditure on prison education.
2. The range of subjects taught runs from adult basic education through to open university level, and prisoners are prepared for the various public examinations—eg GCSE; A levels; Royal Society of Arts; City and Guilds of London Institute. Statistics available for the 1987–88 academic year show that upwards of 1,000 inmates or just under 50 per cent. of the total prison population were involved in some form of education. Of this, 28 per cent. were enrolled in basic education, 55 per cent. were enrolled in examination classes and the remaining
504Wand Food announced in the House on 16 March, new legislation will be introduced when parliamentary time permits. In accordance with normal practice in the field of transferred legislation, comparable provision will be made for Northern Ireland by Order in Council under the Northern Ireland Act 1974.
The Departments of Health and Social Services and Agriculture have responsibilities for food safety.
Figures on the numbers of staff from each Department involved in food safety over the past three years are not available, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.