asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his assessment of the effects of the strike by catering staff at the Royal Liverpool teaching hospital on the welfare of the patients.

Catering staff at the Royal Liverpool hospital are refusing to adopt new rotas and working arrangements proposed by the management, and are refusing to work overtime. A normal service for patients' breakfasts and midday meals has been maintained but the quality, quantity and timing of evening meals has sometimes been affected, with only snacks available on occasions. There have also been occasional problems in providing special diets, for example, for diabetics. I regard it as deplorable when hospital staff take action which directly affects the well-being of patients.