Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 8 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list (a) public health laboratories and (b) NHS trust laboratories which have refused to provide microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list (a) public health laboratories and (b) NHS trust laboratories which have refused to provide microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing; and if he will make a statement. [125012] Miss Melanie Johnson: We are aware of only one case where a former Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) laboratory in Nottingham could not accept samples of swimming pool water for microbiological testing. This has now been resolved. We are not aware of any other public health or national health service laboratories which have refused to provide microbiology services for food, water and environmental testing. The transition of this service from the PHLS to the Health Protection Agency has been managed from the outset on a `business as usual' basis.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 125012; 409 c937W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Health Environment Health Protection Agency Environmental health Food NHS trusts Public Health Laboratory Service Microbiology Water Testing Laboratories
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk