§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many regulations involving food hygiene requirements and affecting(a) shops, (b) hotels and restaurants and (c) guest houses have been (i) repealed and (ii) simplified under the Government's deregulation initiative; and if he will make a statement on the efforts made to relax the regulatory regime on smaller-scale establishments. [26909]
§ Mr. HoramI have been asked to reply.
Most shops, hotels and restaurants and guest houses whose commercial activities include the preparation and sale of food are covered by the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 SI 1763 and the Food Safety (Temperature Control) Regulations 1995 SI 2200. These two sets of regulations, which came into force in Great Britain on 15 September 1995, simplified and replaced 12 sets of hygiene regulations. These measures form part of the Government's comprehensive food law deregulation plan aimed at reducing the regulatory burdens on businesses at the same time as maintaining safeguards for consumers. Copies of the plan are available in the Library.