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Mr. Nicholas Bennett : The requested information is not available centrally.
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Land Acquisition
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish for each of the last 12 years, and for each county in Wales, the area of land that has been used for major highway construction and ancillary purposes ; and if he will indicate the total compensation paid to landowners.
Sir Wyn Roberts : This information is not held centrally.
St. David's Hospital, Cardiff
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when his Department received the application for approval in principle for the new neighbourhood hospital on the site of the St. David's hospital, Cardiff ; when the reply to South Glamorgan health authority was sent ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : Application for approval in principle for a neighbourhood hospital on the St. David's hospital site, Cardiff, was made by South Glamorgan health authority on 13 November 1991. A reply was sent on 20 December 1991. South Glamorgan health authority is currently reviewing the position in the light of that response.
Drinking Water
Mr. Geraint Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of Welsh Water to discuss the purity of the drinking water in Wales ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for the Environment have jointly appointed the drinking water inspectorate to monitor and report to them on water company performance. The inspectorate's report to them of its first round of inspections, including that of Dwr Cymru, was published in July 1991 and confirmed that 99 per cent. of samples taken by Dwr Cymru met the stringent statutory requirements of the Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 1989 --SI 1989 No. 1147. A second round of inspections, during which Dwr Cymru is again being inspected, is ongoing and the results will be published later this year. My officials are, of course, regularly in contact with Dwr Cymru on various aspects of drinking water quality.
TB Eradication Scheme
Mr. Geraint Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been paid in compensation in respect of cattle slaughtered in Wales under the tuberculosis eradication scheme in each year since 1980 ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. David Hunt : Payments made under the bovine tuberculosis compensation scheme are detailed in the table. The information is only available on a financial year basis.
Year |Total
|compensation
|(£ 's)
---------------------------------------
1980-81 |35,911
1981-82 |7,105
1982-83 |6,918
1983-84 |13,626
1984-85 |28,680
1985-86 |37,068
1986-87 |42,491
1987-88 |58,233
1988-89 |37,045
1989-90 |35,785
1990-91 |86,159
Prescriptions
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Diumide-K (a diuretic with potassium) or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area ;
(2) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Burinex A or a similar preparation (bumetanide with amiloride hydrochloride) has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area in Wales ;
(3) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Caprozide or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents--Captopril and hydrochlo- rothiazide--has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area in Wales ;
(4) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Prempak-C or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents--conjugated oestrogens/norgestrel--has been prescribed (a) in Wales and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : The information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.
Valleys Programme
Dr. Kim Howells : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the percentage unemployment rate for the valleys programme area, for Wales, for each year from November 1988 to November 1991, inclusive.
Mr. David Hunt : The information requested is given in the table.
Unemployment rates<1>
November |Valleys |Wales
|programme
|area
----------------------------------------
1988 |12.4 |9.2
1989 |9.5 |6.5
1990 |10.1 |6.9
1991 |13.1 |9.2
Source: Employment Department, Welsh
Office.
<1> Unadjusted rates, expressed as a
percentage of the work force.
Column 618
Kinnerton Primary School
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will visit Kinnerton county primary school ; and if he will meet (a) the parent teacher association and (b) the staff and governors.
Sir Wyn Roberts : Neither my right hon. Friend nor I has any plans at present to do so.
School Playing Fields
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his policy on the sale of school playing fields ; and if he will make a statement.
Sir Wyn Roberts : Authorities are encouraged to dispose of land and buildings which are surplus to requirements.
Local education authorities are responsible for taking decisions about the disposal of school playing fields. In view of public concern about the possible loss of playing fields, I shall be asking local education authorities to consider long-term school and community needs before taking disposal action.
School Land
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many schools in Wales have had portions of their land and buildings sold since 1979.
Sir Wyn Roberts : Local education authorities are responsible for taking decisions on the disposal of school land and buildings. Information about disposals by these authorities is not held centrally.
Patient Funding
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the funding of out-of-area patients being allocated operations at the four treatment centres in Wales for the period commencing 1 April 1992.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : Decisions on how the treatment centre initiative will be taken forward in 1992-93 will be announced shortly.
British Aerospace
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last visited British Aerospace, Broughton, Clwyd ; and if he will visit British Aerospace to meet apprentices in their final year.
Mr. David Hunt : I visited British Aerospace at Broughton, Clwyd on 30 September 1991 to open the new dispatch wing. No date has yet been fixed for my next visit.
NHS Value-for-money Unit
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the remit of the NHS value-for-money unit and its programme of work for 1992.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : The NHS value-for-money unit operates within the framework of the strategic intent and direction for the NHS in Wales which dedicates the organisation to the pursuit of health gain and the continuous development of people-centred, resource effective health services. Within this framework, the unit's mission is to add value to the use of resources and to encourage enterprise in the delivery of health services.
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The main initiatives which the unit will be pursuing in 1992 include : helping providers of service compare their performance with the best ; helping managers improve the monitoring of service delivery by focusing on high level indicators ; reviewing progress and adding impetus to cash-releasing cost improvement and income generation programmes ; undertaking all-Wales reviews ; helping the NHS in Wales develop overseas trading activities and the commercial exploitation of innovative ideas and products ; establishing the clinical resource utilisation group ; reviewing progress and adding impetus to the market testing initiative.More information is provided in chapter 9 of the document "NHS Wales : Agenda for Action 2" published in December 1991 ; a copy of which has been placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House.
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to receive the report from the value-for-money unit on the cost- effectiveness of the treatment centre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Cardiff ; and if he will give the terms of reference for the value-for-money unit's exercise.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : The study at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital is part of a wider evaluation of the treatment centre initiative as a whole. The purpose of the study is to assess the potential of treatment centres to deliver health care services cost-effectively and also the options for the future funding of such centres. The aim is to complete this exercise before the end of the current financial year.
Hospital Services Study
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give the terms of reference of the joint study into the supply and demand for hospital services in south and mid Glamorgan, commissioned by South Glamorgan health authority, Mid Glamorgan health authority and the University of Wales College of Medicine.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave him on 13 January, at columns 510-11
Water Pollution
Mr. Flynn : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he has taken to clean-up iron oxide and sulphur pollution in streams, rivers and waterways that flow though or close to former mines.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : The National Rivers Authority is currently undertaking a study, which includes an examination of the River Pelena in West Glamorgan, to look at the best ways of preventing polluted water from abandoned mines affecting our rivers.
GPs (Night Calls)
87. Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received from general practitioners in Wales regarding the problem of excessive night-time calls ; and what response he has made.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : Since the introduction of the revised contract for GPs, one letter has been received from a GP in Wales about increased demand for night visits to patients.
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The reply explained that the GPs' remuneration system has been revised to reward those doctors who provide the fullest range of services to their patients. This includes paying a higher fee where doctors undertake night visits to their patients personally, rather than using a deputising service or a large rota.Cataract Removals
Mr. Morgan : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many patients have been treated for cataract removal at the new treatment centre at Bridgend hospital since its opening in October 1991 ; how many were from the Mid-Glamorgan health authority ; if he will list all other health authorities from which other patients treated at the treatment centre have originated ; and how this compares with his Department's agreement with the treatment centre.
Mr. Nicholas Bennett : Between 1 October and 31 December 1991 the new ophthalmic treatment centre treated 182 patients, of which 54 per cent. came from Mid Glamorgan. The centre is on target to meet the contract agreement that 50 per cent. of the total throughput of 300 patients in 1991 -92 should be referred from health authorities other than Mid Glamorgan. In addition to Mid Glamorgan, referrals have been received from South Glamorgan, West Glamorgan, East Dyfed, Powys and Gwent.
Shotton Steelworks
Mr. Barry Jones : To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last visited Shotton steelworks, Clwyd ; and if he will visit Shotton steelworks to discuss the impact of redundancies.
Mr. David Hunt : I last visited Shotton steelworks on 27 November. I have not yet fixed the date for my next visit. During my visit, I was most impressed by the determination of both management and work force to maintain the steelwork's position as a world leader in steel coatings technology.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
UK World Trade Share
Mr. Thurnham : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what has been the United Kingdom's share of world trade, taking visibles and invisibles together, for each of the last 15 years ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Sainsbury : In terms of the value of overseas transactions, the United Kingdom is the fourth largest trading nation in the world. The information is in the table.
United Kingdom's share of OECD total trade<1> 1975-90 (percentage terms) Year |Exports|Imports -------------------------------- 1975 |9.5 |10.0 1976 |9.1 |9.1 1977 |9.3 |9.1 1978 |9.5 |9.3 1979 |10.3 |10.0 1980 |11.3 |10.4 1981 |11.6 |10.6 1982 |11.7 |11.1 1983 |11.0 |10.5 1984 |10.6 |10.2 1985 |10.8 |10.2 1986 |10.0 |9.9 1987 |10.1 |10.0 1988 |10.0 |10.7 1989 |10.0 |10.7 1990 |10.3 |11.1 <1> Visible and invisible trade. Source: IMF Balance of Payments Statistics.
Radio and Television (Interference)
Mr. Atkinson : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what help is available for radio listeners and television viewers to avoid interference in reception.
Mr. Redwood : My Department, through the Radiocommunications Agency, provides helpful advice on improving radio and television reception and I am asking the chief executive of the agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Textiles and Clothing
Mr. Kirkwood : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on progress made on a conclusion of the negotiations within the Uruguay GATT round on textiles.
Mr. Sainsbury [holding answer 15 January 1992] : I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Sherwood (Mr. Stewart) on 15 January, Official Report, columns 598-99.
Maastricht
Sir Teddy Taylor : To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement outlining the areas of his responsibility in which the EC will have competence following the implementation of agreements at Maastricht.
Mr. Lilley [holding answer 17 December 1991] : The treaty agreed at Maastricht contains new chapters relating to industry, consumer protection and trans-European networks. The Community already has competence in these areas. The responsibility for policy on trans-European networks is shared between my Department, the Department of Energy and the Department of Transport.
EDUCATION AND SCIENCE
Football Pool Betting Duty
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the meeting held on 9 January between officials in his Department and representatives of the Football Trust to discuss eligibility of football Premier League clubs for funds released through the reduction in the football pool betting duty ; and what further meetings, and on what dates, are planned on this issue involving officials and ministers in his Department.
Mr. Atkins : At the request of the Football Trust a meeting was held with officials from my Department and
Column 622
the Treasury to hear the views of the trust on its handling of grant applications by prospective members of the Premier League and arrangements following the establishment of the league. The trust will be informed shortly of the Government's views. Further meetings will be arranged as appropriate.Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science further to his letter of 12 July 1991 to the Football Association, if he will set out the precise conditions necessary for Premier League clubs to be rendered eligible for access to funds released through the reduction of the football pool betting duty.
Mr. Atkins : The trust would need to amend its resolution of April 1990 to allow clubs in the Premier League to have access to such funds. My position remains as set out in the letter of 12 July. In supporting such a change I would wish to have regard to how any additional money available to football was to be used for purposes of Taylor implementation throughout the present Football League. I have written to the FA to ask for further information on this objective, together with other relevant matters.
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what criteria the national stadiums at Wembley, Hampden park and Windsor park are deemed eligible for assistance through the reduction in the football pool betting duty.
Mr. Atkins : Under a resolution passed by the Football Trust in April 1990 the grounds of clubs in the Football League and the Scottish League and the three national stadia are eligible for assistance from the moneys made available by the reduction in pool betting duty for capital works for the safety and comfort of spectators at football grounds in accordance with the recommendations contained in Lord Justice Taylor's final report on "The Hillsborough Stadium Disaster, 15 April 1989". The trustees also resolved to distribute the money fairly having regard to the differing needs of those clubs and the stadia authorities and the resources available to them.
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy concerning the repayment of grants made to clubs through the reduction in the football pool betting duty if relegated from the Football League to the Vauxhall conference.
Mr. Atkins : It is for the trust itself to decide its grant policy. I myself see no reason why the Football Trust should ask for repayment of grants in such circumstances.
School Playing Fields
Mr. Pendry : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what amendments he intends to make to the statement of case pro forma for school closure proposals to take account of the change in procedure for evaluating possible deficiencies in playing field provision at neighbouring schools ; when the amendments will be made ; and if he will place a copy of the original and amended statements in the Library.
Mr. Atkins : My right hon. and learned Friend will decide what amendments are required to the statement of case pro forma for school closure proposals in the light of any comments received from the local authority
Column 623
associations to the consultation letter on the disposal of school playing fields. A copy of the original and amended statements will be placed in the Library.Medical Researchers
Mrs. Roe : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has on the comparative levels of remuneration for medical researchers in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) the rest of the EC and (c) the United States of America ; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. Alan Howarth : My Department does not hold details of the levels of remuneration of medical researchers employed by United Kingdom private companies or charities ; nor does it have such information covering medical researchers in the rest of the EC or the United States of America. The pay scale for researchers in universities in the United Kingdom extends from £12,129 to £30,447, although some clinical academic staff are linked to national health service scales which range from about £17,000 to £40,000. Clinical academics holding consultant contracts are also eligible for NHS distinction awards.
Alzheimer's Disease
Mrs. Roe : To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will make it his policy to increase the funding of research into Alzheimer's disease being carried out at St. Mary's hospital, Paddington ;
(2) if he will make a statement on the funding of research into Alzheimer's disease.
Mr. Alan Howarth : The Medical Research Council, the main Government agency for the support of medical research in this country, is funded from this Department's science budget. The MRC's grant-in-aid from the science budget has increased by about 28 per cent. in real terms since 1979-80. It is an independent body, however, and our policy is not to intervene in the MRC's judgment of its research priorities. Last month we announced a planned rising profile for the science budget generally over the next three years. That will enable the MRC to launch its "Neurosciences Approach to Human Health", so expanding its programme of research on the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
Column 624
In addition to research council funding, substantial public funding for medical and other research at universities is provided by the Universities Funding Council as part of its block grant to institutions, which are free to dispose of it in accordance with their academic and research priorities. The distribution of grant between universities is a matter for the UFC. Research funding is also provided through the health departments and health authorities. The Government welcome, moreover, the very important contribution made by the medical research charities and has introduced a more favourable tax regime to encourage support for charities.HEALTH
Fluoridation
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the increase of morbidity in any population following the fluoridation of water to one part per million.
Mr. Dorrell : I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 19 November at columns 126-27. There is no evidence that fluoridation of drinking water at the rate of one part per million has any adverse effect on health.
Accident Victims (Organs)
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward legislation to introduce a scheme whereby accident victims would automatically make their organs available for transplantation unless they have specifically indicated that they wish to opt out.
Transplants
Mr. Gareth Wardell : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients in England are now awaiting transplant surgery ; and if he will separately distinguish these by organ by health region and by length of time they have been waiting.
Mr. Dorrell : The table gives the number of people awaiting transplantation in England by organ and the region in which they expect to be treated. Information on the length of time waiting is not collected centrally.
Column 623
Region<1> |Kidney |Pancreas |Liver |Heart |Lung
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northern |242 |0 |0 |38 |38
Yorkshire |220 |0 |6 |2 |1
Trent |354 |1 |0 |9 |0
East Anglia |120 |0 |11 |23 |20
North West Thames |233 |1 |8 |152 |48
North East Thames |466 |0 |5 |16 |2
South East Thames |309 |1 |16 |0 |0
South West Thames |81 |1 |0 |9 |0
Wessex |108 |0 |0 |0 |0
Oxford |93 |0 |0 |0 |0
South Western |216 |0 |0 |0 |0
West Midlands |381 |0 |34 |0 |0
Mersey |131 |0 |0 |0 |0
North Western |340 |1 |0 |32 |2
|------- |------- |------- |------- |-------
Total |3,294 |5 |80 |281 |111
<1> Based on information provided by the United Kingdom Transplant Support
Service Authority as at 3 January 1992.
Column 625
Calorie Consumption
Mrs. Dunwoody : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on how many calories (a) employed and (b) unemployed men consume on average daily.
Mr. Dorrell : "The Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults" published in 1990 shows average daily calorific intakes for men as (a) employed, 2,520 ; and (b) unemployed, 2,060. A copy of the report is available in the Library.
Clinical Standards Advisory Group
Mr. Andy Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is being undertaken by the Clinical Standards Advisory Group.
Mr. Waldegrave : My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales and I have asked the Clinical Standards Advisory Group to undertake studies with the following terms of reference :
To advise on access to, and availability of, selected National Health Service specialist services, with particular reference to the referral of patients across District boundaries to regional and national centres. Your investigations will consider, but not be limited to, the effects of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 in a representative sample of National Health Service regions and boards. The four services you have selected are : neo-natal intensive care ; cystic fibrosis ; childhood leukaemia ; and coronary artery bypass grafting.
To advise on standards of clinical care for patients admitted to hospital urgently or as emergencies. Your investigations will consider the time patients wait for diagnosis and treatment in the 24 hours after arrival at a hospital, and the factors influencing these times including events prior to arrival, in a representative sample of National Health Service hospitals. You will select several clinical conditions for more detailed investigation, including if possible the effect on health outcomes of variations in the time patients wait.
To advise on standards of clinical care for women in normal labour. Your investigations will include variations in clinical protocols for and practice in the management of women having their first child in a representative sample of labour wards in National Health Service hospitals. You will also investigate the use of cortico-steroids in cases of premature labour.
To advise on standards of clinical care for people with diabetes. Your investigations will include reviews of existing statements of clinical standards, of the standards specified in National Health Service contracts, and of arrangements for auditing the delivery of services to contracted standards, in a representative sample of National Health Service districts and boards.
I have also welcomed the advisory group's intention to undertake preparatory work on hospital acquired infections and on community health care for the elderly before deciding whether the group wishes to propose studies in these areas ; and to keep other areas of clinical care under review.
Brain Injury
Mr. Andy Stewart : To ask the Secretary of State for Health which sites have been selected for the new funding under the Government's initiative to improve national health service rehabilitation services for people with brain injury.
Mr. Waldegrave : Twelve sites will lead our £1 million initiative to improve services for rehabilitation and
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long-term care for people with brain injury. Each one will be a model from which others will learn to improve services to this group throughout the country.
The selected sites are:
|Funds for
|1992-93
|(£ thousands)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regional Rehabilitation Centre, Hunters Moor
Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne |40
Leeds General Infirmary and Leeds Community
Services |80
Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and Derby City
Hospital |75
Nottingham Health Authority |75
Central Sheffield University Hospitals |70
Regional Neurological Rehabilitation Unit,
Homerton Hospital, London |150
Rivermead Rehabilitation Centre, Oxford |70
Rayners Hedge Physical Rehabilitation Service,
Aylesbury |40
Stroke and Rehabilitation Unit, Royal Cornwall
Hospital (City), Truro |65
Frenchay Healthcare Services, Bristol |200
Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation Unit,
St Edward's Hospital, Cheddleton and
Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Haywood
Hospital, Burslem |90
Community Unit, Worcester District Health
Authority |90
Prescriptions
Mr. Michael : To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Diumide-K--a diuretic with potassium--or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in England and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area ;
(2) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Burinex A or a similar preparation--bumetanide with amiloride hydrochloride --has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents has been prescribed (a) in England and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area ;
(3) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Prempak-C or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents--conjugated oestrogens/norgestrel--has been prescribed (a) in England and in each region and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area ;
(4) in what number of prescriptions, in each of the last five years, Caprozide or a similar preparation has been prescribed ; and in what number of cases one of the individual constituents--Captopril and hydrochlo- rothiazide--has been prescribed (a) in England and in each region and (b) in each district health authority or family practitioner committee area.
Mrs. Virginia Bottomley : The information requested is not available in the form requested. The available data,
Column 627
which relate to the estimated number of prescriptions dispensed in each regional health authority over the last four years, have been placed in the Library.Deaths (Certification)
Mr. Corbett : To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will take steps to ensure that every person authorised to certify a human death has first been satisfied that an ether test or an icard test, or similar, has been administered.
Mr. Dorrell : Death is certified by registered medical practitioners in accordance with accepted professional practices. Whether or not a particular test is appropriate will depend upon the individual circumstances of a particular case.
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