To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence he has of the incidence of food poisoning in humans since the policy of slaughtering hens was introduced; and what evidence he has of correlation between these figures.

The reported incidence of salmonellosis in humans is regularly provided in the Public Health Laboratory Service/state veterinary service update on salmonella infection. Copies of the July 1991 edition are in the Library.A range of factors affect the reported incidence of human salmonellosis and no one factor can be singled out. Action therefore needs to be taken at all points in he food chain from farm to consumer. The figures for the first six months of this year are encouraging in showing a reduction compared with the same period in 1990, but it is premature to assess the full effects of the flock slaughter policy in reducing the risks of human infections.