A report on a boiler used to cook meats at John M Barr & Son was not produced as evidence, the E-coli food poisoning inquiry heard yesterday.

North Lanarkshire Council's environmental health department had ordered the manufacturer's engineer to examine the boiler and check with staff how stew and joints of meat were cooked prior to the E-coli 0157 epidemic in November 1996 that killed 21 people.

The written report was sent to Mr Graham Bryceland, the council's head of protective services, said Mr Jeff Tonner, principal environmental health officer, giving evidence.

But during cross-examination by solicitor Paul Santoni (representing relatives of one victim) it emerged that the report was not available to the inquiry.

Mr Tonner said: ''The engineer was satisfied with the method of cooking described to him by Robert Hepburn (factory manager).''

Mr Santoni: ''Who at North Lanarkshire was satisfied with the information from the engineer?'' Mr Tonner: ''That would be Mr Bryceland.

''The engineer in fact said the joints were being overcooked and electricity was being wasted.''

After going over evidence about the boiler examination, Sheriff Principal Graham Cox, QC, who is presiding at the Motherwell fatal accident inquiry, said: ''It further muddies the issue.''

The inquiry has heard that the boiler cooked stew for a Wishaw Old Parish Church lunch, after which eight people died from E-coli.

The inquiry continues.