To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many food poisoning incidents have been recorded for each year from 1980 to 1989 involving food served on passenger aeroplanes; if he will list the airlines involved; and if he will make a statement;(2) how many people have died as a result of food poisoning incidents aboard passenger aeroplanes for each year from 1980 to 1989; and if he will list the airlines involved.

[holding answer 14 December 1989]: In the period 1980 to 1989 there were 22 suspected food poisoning reports to the public health laboratory service communicable disease surveillance centre by laboratories and local authorities associated with commercial air flights arriving or departing from England and Wales. No information is available about any deaths resulting from in-flight catering.The table shows the 22 reported outbreaks of food poisoning associated with in-flight meals, although the carrier airline was not identified in every case.