To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statistics he has on the number of reported cases of food poisoning in Scotland in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 27 May 1993]: The numbers of food poisoning cases notified in Scotland in each of the last five years are as follows:

	Number
1988	2,998
1989	3,197
1990	3,024
1991	2,938
1992	13,311
1 provisional figure

A more detailed analysis of food-borne infection in Scotland, and a commentary on the trends, may be found in part II of the report of the Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food, the Richmond report. published in 1991. The report recommended that the current arrangements for national surveillance co-ordinators should be placed on a more formal basis and that is now in hand.