To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that opportunities for children in residential care in Wales to share in cooking and catering are not unduly constrained by the terms of the Food Safety Act 1990 or regulations made consequent on that Act.

Guidance issued under the Children Act 1989 (Vol. 4, paragraphs 1.139–1.142) on the operation of residential homes encourages the participation of children in cooking and catering activities in appropriate circumstances.The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970, as amended, set out the controls necessary for the hygienic preparation of food. Environmental health departments advise on controls bearing in mind the nature of any food safety risk, including the type of food handled and the preparation involved. The person in charge of a home should ensure that all staff and, where appropriate, children in the home are aware of the requirements of the relevant legislation and the procedures to be followed, and that the latter are adopted.