To ask the Lord President of the Council what advice is available to catering staff in the House on food handling; what percentage and how many of the existing staff have attended food handling courses; and what checks are made to ensure that food handled and cooked at the Palace of Westminster complies with the standards of food hygiene and inspection implemented by environmental health officers in food premises where Crown immunity does not apply.

Advice to staff on food handling is available from and given as necessary by heads of section and the management of the Refreshment Department. No record is kept of the numbers who have attended food handling courses; but the Department does comply with the standards of hygiene laid down in the Food Hygiene Regulations made under the Food Act 1984.