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Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the applicability of the Council of Europe's charter on minority language to the Welsh language and Wales.
Mr. Wyn Roberts [holding answer 23 January 1990] : The Government's policies in relation to the Welsh language compare very favourably with the measures outlined in the Council of Europe's draft charter on regional and minority languages.
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when and for how long he last visited Nant Gwrtheyrn, on official business.
Mr. Peter Walker [holding answer 23 January 1990] : I have not yet been able to visit the national language centre at Nant Gwrtheyrn.
CADW
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the annual expenditure of CADW in each financial year since its establishment.
Mr. Wyn Roberts [holding answer 23 January 1990] : The information requested is shown in the following table :
[TITER] -------------------- Outturn 1984-85 |3,611 1985-86 |6,205 1986-87 |4,173 1987-88 |5,806 1988-89 |5,250 Plans 1989-90 |5,907
Welsh Office
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the legislation for which the Welsh Office has been the sponsoring Department since 1980.
Mr. Peter Walker [holding answer 23 January 1990] : My Department has sponsored the following two items of primary legislation since 1980.
Conwy Tunnel (Supplementary Powers) Act 1983
Welsh Development Agency Act 1988
Simultaneous Translations
Dr. Thomas : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the responsibilities of his Department's translation unit with regard to simultaneous translation at meetings ;
(2) what provision exists within the Welsh Office for simultaneous translation at meetings involving outside bodies.
Mr. Wyn Roberts [holding answer 23 January 1990] : The main conference room in the Welsh Office has simultaneous translation facilities. The Welsh Office translation unit can arrange for interpreters to be available as needed.
HEALTH
Leukaemia
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will be in a position to give figures of cancer registration data for cases of diagnosed leukaemia in children by (a) each year since 1985 to date and (b) by regional health authority.
Mr. Freeman : OPCS publishes annual cancer statistics using data collected by 11 regional registries and the Wales cancer registry which are funded by the regional health authorities. The timing of publications is largely governed by when the slowest regional cancer registry provides OPCS with data. For 1985, data from the last registry were not received until September 1989. Additionally, publication of 1985 data has been affected by amendments made to the presentation of the data following consultation between OPCS and users of the data. The targets for the publication of data for individuals diagnosed in 1985 and 1986 are March and July 1990 respectively.
Immunisation
Mrs. Currie : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the most recent results for the immunisation campaign using the multiple mumps, rubella, measles vaccine ; and what were the targets announced in 1988.
Mr. Freeman : As measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine was introduced in October 1988, the mid-point of the financial year, full uptake figures are not yet available. However, over the first 15 months since the vaccine's launch, more than 3 million doses have been distributed. This is double the calculated requirement for the two priority groups : children aged 12 to 15 months and those attending for their pre- school boosters. The most encouraging results can be seen in the weekly notification
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for measles. Notifications for 1989 have been at the lowest recorded levels and this is likely to be a direct consequence of the keen support of the MMR programme. The uptake targets remain those agreed for the European region of the World Health Organisation--90 per cent. by 1990 for measles, tetanus, polio and whooping cough--and we hope to reach those targets in the financial year 1990-91.Hearing-related Problems
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is (a) the current maximum waiting time and (b) the number of people waiting for consultations for hearing-related problems in the Sheffield district health authority.
Mr. Freeman : At 31 March 1989 the maximum waiting time for a first appointment in the ear, nose and throat specialty in Sheffield health authority was 70 weeks. The number of people waiting is not collected centrally and the hon. Member may care to contact the chairman of Sheffield health authority for this information.
Hearing Aids
Mr. Blunkett : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current average and maximum delay between the prescription of a hearing aid, and its supply and fitting in the Sheffield district health authority.
Mr. Freeman : This information is not held centrally. I suggest the hon. Member contacts the chairman of Sheffield health authority for the information he seeks.
Monica Prospero
Mr. Redmond : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement as to why it took 10 years to agree damages to Monica Prospero, following an abortion at Nottingham City hospital that went wrong ; how the various percentage elements of the claim were calculated ; and whether the health authority has now written to her apologising for the error.
Mr. Freeman : Claims for damages are entirely a matter for the health authority concerned, the claimants and their authorised representatives.
West Midlands Ambulance Personnel
Mr. Denis Howell : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he can now report upon the result of his inquiries into the letter written to all West Midlands ambulance personnel on 18 December by the regional general manager of the West Midlands health authority threatening them and any passengers they might carry with prosecution under the Theft Act ; if he has now been able to make inquiries into all the matters submitted to him in the memorandum provided by the Birmingham group of Labour hon. Members ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Kenneth Clarke : The letter of 18 December from the general manager of West Midlands regional health authority to all West Midlands ambulance personnel pointed out that if ambulance personnel drive an ambulance when not authorised by the authority they may be liable to prosecution. This is a factually correct statement. Of course, if ambulance crews turn out in
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response to a control room this would not apply and West Midlands ambulance personnel are well aware that if they are responding to a call from ambulance control they are authorised to use ambulance service vehicles.The memorandum submitted to me on behalf of several right hon. and hon. Members for Birmingham constituencies dated 17 January concerns local operational matters which are the responsibility of the West Midlands regional health authority and I will pass the memorandum on to the chairman of that authority so that he can respond.
Social Workers (Training)
Dr. Godman : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many social workers have successfully undertaken training programmes, approved by the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work, in order to qualify as mental health officers under the Mental Health Act 1984, in each of the area health authorities ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : In England and Wales, approved social workers are appointed in accordance with section 114 of the Mental Health Act 1983. It is for individual social services authorities to determine how many approved social workers they need to appoint in the light of local circumstances. Information is not available centrally on how many social workers have successfully undertaken training programmes to qualify as approved social workers.
Personal Health Information
Miss Emma Nicholson : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress his Department has made on issuing a health circular on ownership, confidentiality and disclosure of personal health information in the National Health Service ; and when he expects to be able to announce the results of the consultation process.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : I can add nothing further at this stage to the reply I gave my hon. Friend on 13 December at column 681.
Hospital Beds
Mr. Robin Cook : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many secure units exist in each region and for England as a whole in National Health Service hospitals ; and what was the number of beds in secure units for each year since 1979.
Mr. Freeman : There are now 21 regional secure units (RSUs). All regions have at least one, except South West Thames which is at an advanced planning stage. South Western and North Western RHAs each have two secure units, Oxford has three and South East Thames has five. The remaining nine regions have one each. Because of changes in the way the information has been collected since 1980, when the first permanent RSU was opened, it is not possible to provide comparative figures over time. In 1989 there were 660 available and staffed beds in RSUs, including interim units.
Mr. Robin Cook : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give for each year since 1979 and for each district health authority, Scottish health authority, regional health authority and for England the numbers of (a) acute beds and (b) non-acute beds.
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Mr. Freeman : Information for 1988-89 has been placed in the Library. For the information for 1979 to 1987-88, I refer the hon. Member to figures which were placed in the Library in connection with my reply to him of 16 May 1989 at column 145. Figures for Scotland are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.Yorkshire Regional Health Authority
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed by the Yorkshire regional health authority headquarters and administration ; and if he will list the 20 highest paid personnel and indicate their duties for 1990-91 and for each of the past five years.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : At 30 September 1988 there were 3,230 staff in post. This includes consultants and senior registrars whose contracts are held by headquarters but who may work elsewhere in the authority. The further information required is not held centrally. My hon. Friend may like to approach the chairman of Yorkshire regional health authority.
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount of funding available from his Department to the Yorkshire regional health authority for 1990-91 and for each of the past five years ; and on what basis this is allocated to the district health authorities in Yorkshire.
Mr. Freeman : The table shows total revenue allocations to the Yorkshire regional heath authority since 1985-86.
|£ million
------------------------------
1985-86 |686.2
1986-87 |739.2
1987-88 |816.0
1988-89 |892.6
1989-90 |<1>965.5
<1> provisional
Initial cash limits for 1990-91 will be announced shortly. Allocations to districts are a matter for regions. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the chairman of the Yorkshire regional health authority seeking the information she requires about allocations to districts within the region.
NHS Spending (Dewsbury)
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the new Dewsbury general hospital and the problems of underfunding it now faces.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : Based on resource assumptions for 1990-91 Dewsbury health authority will receive a recurrent cash allocation of £33.8 million : this represents a cash increase of 8.6 per cent., and a real terms increase of 2.8 per cent. over 1989-90. For the three-year period to 1990-91 the district will have received over £2 million in growth money. The funding of individual hospitals is the responsibility of the district health authority concerned.
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount of money available for National Health Service health care for Dewsbury health authority for 1990-91 ; and what was the figure for each of the previous 10 years.
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Mr. Freeman : Allocations to Dewsbury health authority are a matter for the Yorkshire regional health authority. My hon. Friend may wish to write to the chairman of the Yorkshire RHA for the information she requires.
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the imminent closure of approximately 60 beds, in the new hospital by Dewsbury district health authority.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : My hon. Friend made a representation about the financial position of Dewsbury health authority last October to which my noble Friend Baroness Hooper has responded.
Contingency Fund
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance he has given to (a) district health authorities and (b) Dewsbury on what patient care their contingency fund should be spent on ;
(2) what guidance he has given to (a) district health authorities and (b) Dewsbury on what is a realistic amount of money to have in their contingency fund ;
(3) what guidance he has given to (a) district health authorities and (b) Dewsbury as to on what contingency their contingency fund should be spent on.
Dewsbury District Health Authority
Mrs. Peacock : To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last met the chairman of Dewsbury district health authority ; what matters were discussed ; and if he will make a statement.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : My right hon. amd learned Friend the Secretary of State has not met the chairman of Dewsbury health authority recently.
Homosexuality
Mr. Strang : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the Government's policy concerning the fostering or adoption of children by homosexual couples in stable, long-term relationships.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : Courts and child care and adoption agencies are required to give first consideration to promoting and safeguarding a child's welfare. Agencies must act within a framework of primary legislation and regulations which lay serious obligations on agencies to safeguard the welfare of children. These include requirements for thorough investigation and assessment of individual prospective foster parents and adopters. The law does not allow two people to adopt jointly unless they are married.
Disablement Services Authority
Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what powers he has in relation to the Disablement Services Authority and the provision of artificial limbs ;
(2) which part of his Department is responsible for the Disablement Services Authority.
Mr. Freeman : The Disablement Services Authority is a special health authority with full responsibility for the
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provision of artificial limbs and appliances. The authority is accountable directly to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State, whose powers in respect of it are the same as those in respect of all other health authorities. General oversight of the DSA is the responsibility of the deputy secretary, health and personal social services policy, supported as necessary by parts of the Department.Mr. Hoyle : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average waiting time for an artificial limb (a) in 1986-87 and (b) currently.
Mr. Freeman : This is a matter for the Disablement Services Authority to which the hon. Member should address his question.
Family Practitioner Committees
Dr. Marek : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the general managers of family practioners committees, their qualifications and their date of appointment.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley [holding answer 22 January 1990] : The available information is contained in the following list. Information about the academic, professional or other qualifications of individual general managers is not held centrally. This is a matter for each family practitioner committee as the employing authority.
FPC general manager appointments FPC and name |Date of appointment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Avon-J. Watson | 9 January 1990 Barking and Havering-G. Shepherd |16 October 1989 Barnet-Ms. A. Harding | 2 January 1990 Barnsley-P. Tallis |20 July 1989 Bedfordshire |<2>- Berkshire-J. O'Brien | 1 September 1990 Birmingham-A. Torbet |13 November 1989 Bolton-A. Seward |31 July 1989 Bradford-D. Martin | 1 October 1989 Brent and Harrow-J. Tate | 1 August 1989 Bromley-T. Dean | 1 November 1989 Buckinghamshire-M. Gaffney | 2 October 1989 Bury-P. Emmott |17 July 1989 Calderdale-G. Newbury | 1 January 1990 Cambridgeshire-G. Mead |14 November 1989 Camden and Islington-Mrs. S. Shaw | 1 August 1989 Cheshire-D. Thomson |<1>- City and East London-A. Bennett | 1 August 1989 Cleveland-J. Lewis | 1 January 1990 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly-S. Hattersley | 1 January 1990 Coventry-M. Waterland | 6 November 1989 Croydon-M. Outhwaite | 1 October 1989 Cumbria-R. Macleod | 1 August 1989 Derbyshire-K. Houghton |18 July 1989 Devon-E. Herbert |30 October 1989 Doncaster-R. Hemming |10 August 1989 Dorset-J. Knighton | 1 August 1989 Dudley-J. Bromley |30 October 1989 Durham-P. Hawkes |23 October 1989 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow- Mrs. E. M. Rose | 1 August 1989 East Sussex-L. Screene | 3 October 1989 Enfield and Haringey-Ms. H. Scott | 9 October 1989 Essex-G. Butland | 1 August 1989 Gateshead-Ms. J. Axelby |<1>- Gloucestershire-S. Golledge |11 September 1989 Greenwich and Bexley-J. Strickland | 1 September 1989 Hampshire-G. D. Hayne |25 July 1989 Hereford and Worcester-C. Parr | 1 November 1989 Hertfordshire-J. L. Blakey | 1 August 1989 Hillingdon-B. Allen | 4 August 1989 Humberside-C. Dench | 4 July 1989 Isle of Wight-P. Wilkening |31 October 1989 Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster J. James |1 August 1989 Kent D. Homeshaw |2 August 1989 Kingston and Richmond P. Hornby |18 September 1989 Kirklees Miss V. Aspey |16 October 1989 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham Ms. S. Osborne; Ms. S. Wiliams |8 January 1990 Lancashire G. Pelham |26 July 1989 Leeds A. Garland |9 October 1989 Leicestershire P. Bates |26 July 1989 Lincolnshire J. I. Gilmore |1 August 1989 Liverpool Miss C. Wall |18 September 1989 Manchester J. Dennis |4 December 1989 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth P. Hill |1 August 1989 Newcastle T. W. Marshall |15 January 1990 Norfolk R. Wilcox |1 August 1989 Northamptonshire M. Powell |1 August 1989 North Tyneside |<2>- Northumberland P. Bower |21 December 1989 North Yorkshire C. M. Towne |2 October 1989 Nottinghamshire A. Ruffell |1 November 1989 Oldham D. Common |1 October 1989 Oxfordshire Ms. J. Griffiths |1 November 1989 Redbridge and Waltham Forest Mrs. L. Noel |16 October 1989 Rochdale E. Jones |16 October 1989 Rotherham K. V. Wilson |25 September 1989 St. Helens and Knowsley J. Cullen |4 September 1989 Salford M. J. Clark |1 November 1989 Sandwell B. Maunder |24 July 1989 Sefton Ms. K. Rogers |1 January 1990 Sheffield G. Walker |1 August 1989 Shropshire C. Foot |1 August 1989 Solihull K. Higgins |1 August 1989 Somerset A. R. Langham |27 November 1989 South Tyneside G. Power |27 November 1989 Staffordshire M. Evans |1 February 1990 Stockport A. Jones |12 July 1989 Suffolk W. Robinson |24 July 1989 Sunderland D. Eltringham |4 September 1989 Surrey Miss A. Sutcliffe |1 August 1989 Tameside B. Thomas |31 August 1989 Trafford Mrs. D. Asher |4 September 1989 Wakefield M. Ramsden |24 July 1989 Walsall Ms. C. Eminson |16 October 1989 Warwickshire E. Evans |1 August 1989 West Sussex T. P. Knott |31 October 1989 Wigan J. Sumner |14 July 1989 Wiltshire M. Warner |1 November 1989 Wirral G. Greenwood |1 January 1990 Wolverhampton D. Lord |1 November 1989 <1> Appointed but not yet in post. <2> No appointment.
HOME DEPARTMENT
Young Offenders
2. Mr. Dover : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the figures for attendance at court by parents in cases where their children who are aged under 18 years are being tried.
53. Mr. Butterfill : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the figures for attendance at court by parents in cases where their children who are aged under 18 years are being tried.
69. Mr. Hague : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the figures for attendance at court by parents in cases where their children who are aged under 18 years are being tried.
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Mr. John Patten : When juveniles under 17 appear in court charged with criminal offences the court has the power to require their parents to attend. We do not have statistics on parental attendance, but they should always be there, taking their responsibility.44. Mr. Riddick : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he intends to take to make parents more accountable for the behaviour of their own children below the age of 16 years.
102. Mr. Key : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about his proposals to increase the responsibilities of parents whose children are charged with criminal offences.
Mr. John Patten : We propose to strengthen courts' powers to require parents to attend court with their children and pay fines and compensation orders imposed on their children. We also intend to widen courts' powers to bind over parents to take proper care of and exercise proper control over their children who are convicted of criminal offences.
124. Mr. Gill : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reaction he has received to his proposal to make parents of young offenders obliged to attend court and to take greater responsibility for their children's behaviour.
Mr. John Patten : It is well recognised that parents have an important responsibility for their children's behaviour, and my right hon. and learned Friend's proposals have been widely welcomed.
128. Mr. Bill Michie : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many young people aged under 17 years are locked up in prison establishments at the present time.
Mr. Mellor : According to the records held centrally, which are approximate, on 30 June 1989 about 620 persons aged under 17 were held in prison service establishments in England and Wales.
Violent Crime
10. Mr. Watson : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce new initiatives to combat crimes of violence.
68. Mr. Buckley : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce new initiatives to combat crimes of violence.
141. Mr. Archer : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now announce new initiatives to combat the rising number of crimes of violence.
Mr. John Patten : The most effective crime prevention initiatives are taken locally to tackle local problems. Action already taken by Government includes higher penalties for violent offences ; increases in police manpower and resources ; and measures to deal with drug trafficking, terrorism and alcohol-related disorder.
97. Mr. David Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was paid out in the form of compensation to the victims of violent crime in the last year for which figures are available.
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Mr. John Patten : The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board paid out £69,381,286 in compensation in the year ended 31 March 1989.
Birmingham Pub Bombings
11. Mr. Grocott : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire, Mr. Shaw ; and if he will make a statement.
42. Mr. McCartney : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire, Mr. Shaw ; and if he will make a statement.
133. Mr. Hinchliffe : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the assistant chief constable of West Yorkshire ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : My right hon. and learned Friend has not discussed this case with Mr. Shaw. However, officials in the Home Office have maintained close contact with the Police Complaints Authority, which is supervising Mr. Shaw's investigations into the West Midlands serious crime squad. We will consider carefully whether anything emerges from this investigation which might cast doubt on the safety of the convictions of the Birmingham Six.
17. Ms. Mowlam : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the Director of Public Prosecutions ; and if he will make a statement.
58. Mr. Wall : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the Director of Public Prosecutions ; and if he will make a statement.
129. Mr. Jim Marshall : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the Director of Public Prosecutions ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : My right hon. and learned Friend has not discussed this case with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
34. Dr. Reid : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the chief constable of the West Midlands ; and if he will make a statement.
51. Mr. Battle : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the chief constable of the West Midlands ; and if he will make a statement.
55. Mr Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last discussed the Birmingham pub bombings case with the chief constable of the West Midlands ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : My right hon. and learned Friend has not discussed this case with the chief constable.
35. Mr. Clay : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Foreign Minister of Ireland to discuss the Birmingham pub bombings ; and if he will make a statement.
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50. Mr. Martlew : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Foreign Minister of Ireland to discuss the Birmingham pub bombings ; and if he will make a statement.107. Mr. Leighton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he last met the Foreign Minister of Ireland to discuss the Birmingham pub bombings ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John Patten : I refer the hon. Members to the reply given earlier to a question from the hon. Member for Hackney, South and Shoreditch (Mr. Sedgemore).
43. Mr. Alton : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the case of the Birmingham Six.
62. Mr. Loyden : To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on behalf of the Birmingham Six.
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