To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many notices have been issued under sections 19(5) and 19(6), respectively, of the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 since the Act came into force.

I have been asked to reply as under an agency agreement, the Health and Safety Executive became the enforcing authority for part III of the Act and its regulations on 27 June 1987.Between that date and 31 December 1987 32 enforcement notices were served, 29 under section 19(5) and three under section 19(6).