§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health which regional health authority and district health authorities use European Community intervention board butter (i) for patients' use and (ii) for use in hospital coffee shops; and if she will make a statement;
§ Mr. SackvilleWe are not aware of any regional or district health authorities currently buying intervention board butter. The main national health service purchasers are NHS trusts, of which the vast majority buy in the butter under national contract arrangements for use in hospitals in accordance with EEC regulation No. 2191/81, as amended. Eligible consumers within any hospital may include hospital in-patients and out-patients, and the hospital staff using the hospital catering facilities.