§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he is proposing to introduce charges in respect of food samples submitted by local authorities to the public health laboratory service for analysis; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettAt present laboratories of the public health laboratory service in Wales analyse a limited number of food samples for local authorities free of charge. There are plans to put this arrangement on to a contractual basis, with contracts specifying charges for any work which may be required above an agreed minimum. Such charges will reflect the costs to the laboratories of undertaking work above the agreed level.