To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many branches of (a) Burger King, (b) McDonalds, (c) Kentucky Fried Chicken and (d) other fast food outlets there are in NHS hospitals; whether any such outlets have been given exclusive food merchandising rights in that hospital; and if she will make a statement. (113853)

The information requested is not collected centrally.

National health service trusts are locally responsible for decisions relating to the provision of all food to patients, staff and visitors. NHS trusts are encouraged to generate income by making best use of their assets and this can include the provision of retail services of the type to which the question refers. The precise contractual arrangements will depend on the individual scheme and the local situation.