To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how often tests are carried out on hospital water supplies to detect Legionnaire's disease; and if he will make a statement.

In the absence of a quick test to measure the pressure of legionnella in water, we consider that the maintenance of hospital hot and cold water systems to standards recommended in a code of practice issued by the Department offers the best means of protection against infection by legionnella. Routine sampling is not recommended unless a water supply is suspected as being the source of an infection, because technical and scientific resources can be more effectively employed on preventive maintenance.