| Home Page |
Column 131
Written Answers to
Questions
Wednesday 19 April 1995
HEALTH
Residential Care
Mr. Foulkes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the total income to each local authority in England and Wales and in total from placements of old people in (a) registered and (b) unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes inside and outside the local authority area and from placements in local authority homes for older people; and if she will break this down by income from (i) government grants (1) inside aggregate external finance and (2) outside AEF, (ii) sales, (iii) fees and charges, (iv) other income and (v) joint arrangements; [18925]
(2) what is the total expenditure by each local authority in England and Wales on placements of older people in (a) registered and (b) unregistered independent residential care and nursing homes inside and outside the local authority; if she will break this down into expenditure on (i) employees (ii) running expenses and (iii) joint arrangements; and if she will provide similar information on expenditure by local authorities on local authority homes for older people. [18921]
Mr. Bowis: Information for England in 1992 93, the latest year for which complete information is available, will be placed in the Library. Information for Wales is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Drug Users
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to introduce photo-identity passes for registered drug users to ensure that they cannot attend more than one drug-prescribing centre to obtain drug supplies; if she will consider introducing legislation so that all registered drugs users are required to register exclusively with the health authority in whose area they reside and that this health authority maintain a photo-identity record of the registered user; if she will consider supplementing this legislation with a requirement that anyone seeking to register as a drug user must do so through his or her local health authority and must specify a single prescribing centre to attend; if she will legislate to ensure that anyone seeking to register as a drug user must be referred back to his or her local health authority; if she will ensure that cross-referencing within and between health authorities is encouraged and funded; and if she will make a statement. [19009]
Mr. Bowis: I have no such plans at present.
Column 132
Temazepam
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the private prescription of Temazepam and other drugs is controlled and regulated; what record is kept by (a) doctors and (b) pharmacists of private prescriptions; what plans she has to tighten up the private prescription of Temazepam; and if she will make a statement. [19011]
Mr. Bowis: Temazepam is a prescription-only medicine under the Medicines Act 1968 and is also controlled under schedule 4 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985.
When prescribing in a private capacity, general practitioners operate outside the general medical service regulations. It is good professional practice to keep accurate medical records. The General Medical Council has regarded as serious professional misconduct the prescription or supply of drugs of dependence otherwise than in the course of bona fide treatment.
When a private prescription is dispensed by a pharmacist an entry must be made in the prescription-only register on the date of dispensing or, if that is not reasonably practicable, on the following day. The register must be preserved for two years after the date of the last entry, and the prescription must be retained for two years from the date on which the prescription-only medicine was supplied, or for a repeat prescription two years from the date on which the prescription was dispensed for the last time.
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 require that the dispensing pharmacist should retain private prescriptions for controlled drugs for two years from the date of dispensing. They also require that private prescriptions should be produced for inspection on request by the Home Office drugs inspectorate or by other persons authorised to demand this information.
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ban Temazepam in its jelly formulation; and if she will make a statement. [19023]
Mr. Bowis: The abuse of Temazepam capsules by drug misusers is of particular concern and we are keeping the position under review.
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines she has issued to health authorities on the prescription of Temazepam; what is the latest date that she issued these guidelines; what guidelines she plans to issue; and if she will make a statement. [19012]
Mr. Bowis: Information about the effects of Temazepam on patients is given in the British National Formulary, which is issued by the Department to all general practitioners free of charge.
In 1993, the Department asked family health services authorities to work with local general practitioners to agree local targets on the reduction of all benzodiazepine prescribing.
In March 1994, the Department distributed copies of the Mental Health Foundation's booklet "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence" to every family health services authority and recommended their use by general practitioners wishing to help patients who may be dependent on benzodiazepines. The need for further guidance is being kept under review.
Column 133
Allowances
Mr. David Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list for each agency and the central Department for which she is responsible (a) the total amount of removal costs and associated expenses reimbursed to officials who were required to relocate as part of their employment, (b) the amount of each of the highest three claims that were concluded and settled and (c) the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years. [19659]
Mr. Sackville: The total cost of relocating Department of Health staff, including agencies, in each year since 1992 93 was £9.4 million, as shown in the table.
Information on the highest three claims and the average amount of each claim in each of the last three years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Summary of Department of
Health employees' removal
costs
Year |£ million
------------------------------
1992-93 |5.8
1993-94 |3.0
1994-95 |0.6
Total |9.4
Source:Departmental Accounts.
Notes:
1. Costs include-Preliminary
visits;
2. Subsistence connected with
removals;
3. Removal costs;
4. Estate Agent fees;
5. Legal and survey fees;
6. Miscellaneous relocation
expenses;
7. Bridging finance expenses;
8. Services of relocation
companies.
Pharmaceutical Services
Ms Estelle Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure the continuance of supply of category A drugs used for medical purposes for prescriptions on weekends and bank holidays; and if she will make a statement. [19456]
Mr. Malone: Family health services authorities are responsible for ensuring that patients have access to an appropriate level of pharmaceutical services in their area at all times, including bank holidays and weekends. Class A drugs such as diamorphine may not be held as stock by all community pharmacies, so where patients requiring them are discharged from secondary care at a weekend, they should be provided with sufficient medicines or suitable arrangements made to ensure cover is available before discharge.
Solvent Abuse
Lady Olga Maitland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the report on solvent abuse from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will be published; and if she will make a statement. [19947]
Mr. Bowis: We shall publish the report "Volatile Substance Abuse" tomorrow. The report provides a background to solvent abuse, sets out its causes, prevalence and patterns and looks at the toxicology of the
Column 134
substances involved. It goes on to consider issues ofprevention, help for misusers and their families, training and planning. We are grateful to the advisory council for producing its thorough and timely report. Copies of the report will be placed in the Library. As a result of the recommendation that the Government should stimulate the establishment of an industry-led forum to consider the misuse potential of its products and how to reduce it, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is writing to industry representatives seeking their assistance.HIV AIDS
Mr. Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much money has been granted to Oxfordshire health authority to provide HIV AIDS services for each year since 1990; and what is the planned allocation for 1995 96; [18681]
(2) which HIV AIDS specific voluntary sector agencies have received money from Oxfordshire health authority to provide HIV AIDS services for each year since 1990; how much they have received; and what are the planned allocations for 1995 96; [18682]
(3) how much money has been granted to Oxfordshire social services to provide HIV AIDS services for each year since 1990; [18683] (4) which HIV AIDS specific voluntary sector agencies have received money from Oxfordshire social services to provide HIV AIDS services for each year since 1990; how much they received; and what are the planned allocations for 1995 96. [18684]
Mr. Sackville: Allocations to the national health service for HIV AIDS services are distributed to regional health authorities. Information on allocations below regional level including allocations from district health authorities to the voluntary sector is not available centrally.
Since 1994 95 the scope of the AIDS support grant scheme for local authorities has been confined to community care services for people with HIV AIDS, with local authority prevention work funded separately under the healthy alliances scheme.
Before 1994 95 AIDS support grant allocations were made on an open-ended bidding system. Since 1994 95, however, information became available for the first time on the number of live AIDS cases resident in individual authorities and indicative allocations have since been made on this basis. This allows resources to be targeted more closely to areas of highest prevalence.
In moving to the new method for AIDS support grant allocations, it was clear that some authorities had historically received a greater proportion of resources than they were entitled to under the new system. An element of transitional relief for 1994 95 was given to those authorities most affected by the change to the new system. The amounts allocated to Oxfordshire county council under the AIDS support grant scheme and the amounts of grant provided from Oxfordshire social services to HIV AIDS voluntary sector agencies are as follows:
Column 135
|AIDS support
|grant allocation (£) |Voluntary Sector |£
|funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-91 |156,250 |OXAIDS |15,000
|Oxford Body Positive |17,000
|General Hospitals District Samaritan Fund|5,000
|The Ley Community |10,000
1991-92 |162,500 |OXAIDS |17,000
|Oxford Body Positive |9,000
|General Hospitals District Samaritan Fund|1,000
1992-93 |240,000 |OXAIDS |33,000
|Oxford Body Positive |35,000
|General Hospitals District Samaritan Fund| 3,000
|The Ley Community |15,000
|Samaritan Fund |10,000
1993-94 |240,000 |OXAIDS |33,000
|Oxford Body Positive |35,000
|The Ley Community |15,000
1994-95 |130,000
| <1>£20,000
1995-96 |115,000
| <1>£20,000
<1>Healthy Alliances allocation
Information on the amount of voluntary sector provision is taken from the end of year report to the Department and is not yet available for 1994 95 and 1995 96.
Special Transitional Grants
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which authorities were unable to spend 85 per cent. of their special transitional grant for 1993 94 in the independent sector. [19409]
Mr. Bowis: We have not yet received all the audited returns of expenditure of the 1993 94 special transitional grant.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of special transitional grant was spent by each authority in 1993 94 on non -residential or nursing care. [19410]
Mr. Bowis: This information is not available centrally.
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what amount of special transitional grant was spent by each authority in 1993 94 in (a) the private sector and (b) the voluntary sector. [19411]
Mr. Bowis: This information is not available centrally.
Market Testing
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the capital asset value of the computing and information technology services included in the market testing--competitive tendering programme for each regional health authority for 1994 95 (a) as recorded on asset registers at 31 March 1994, (b) at project net book value as at 31 March 1994 and (c) as identified in the statement of services requirements of assets likely to be transferred to the successful supplier. [19503]
Column 136
Mr. Sackville: This information is not available centrally.
Mahogany
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many metres of mahogany or products containing it her Department has bought in the lastfive years; and if she will list the purposes and the costs. [19843]
Mr. Sackville: The information is not available. However, the Department's policy is not to purchase mahogany or other tropical hardwoods. Specifications for the purchase of relevant items are written to exclude the use of these materials.
Rules and Regulations
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what requirements there are for officials in her Department to introduce a compliance cost assessment for all rules and regulations coming before her and her Ministers; and how many compliance cost assessments have been issued in her Department in the first three months of the year. [19348]
Mr. Sackville [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Department follows guidance that applies to all Government Departments. I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade today. My Department published one compliance cost assessment in the first three months of this year, copies of which are available in the Library.
Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rules and regulations she repealed in the first three months of 1995; and how many new rules and regulations were introduced in that period by way of statutory instruments, motions or orders. [19362]
Mr. Sackville [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Twenty-four rules and regulations were made in the first three months of 1995 of which three revoked earlier instruments, five updated fees and charges and one facilitated competition. One had costs for business.
Statutory instruments which were not themselves regulatory, including those dealing with the establishment, dissolution or transfers of property of individual national health service trusts, Orders in Council and commencement orders have been excluded, as have instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure.
TRANSPORT
Road Pricing (Research)
Mr. Roy Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money his Department has spent to date on (a) research into road pricing and (b) research into motorway charging. [19878]
Mr. Watts: To date, the Department of Transport has spent £2.8 million on research into city congestion charging and £1.9 million on research into motorway tolling.
Column 137
Mahogany
Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many metres of mahogany or products containing it his Department has brought in the last five years; and if he will list the purposes and the costs. [19845]
Mr. Norris: My Department does not have this information. Current policy is not to buy mahogany.
London Taxis
Mr. Bendall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about London taxi fares and fees. [20164]
Mr. Norris: The Secretary of State has made an order increasing London taxi fares by about 4.44 per cent. on average with effect from Saturday 22 April 1995. The new tariff will incorporate a minimum fare of £1.20, including a hire charge of 80p for the first 513 m, 561.22 yd, or 111 seconds. The rate will then be 20p for every 256.5 m, 280.61 yd, or 55.5 seconds up to 6 miles and 20p for each 171 m, 187.07 yd, or 37 seconds thereafter.
The Secretary of State has decided that there will be no increase this year in the fees for London taxi driver and vehicle licences, currently £87 and £78 respectively.
Transport Research Laboratory Staff
Mr. Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons ex-staff of the Transport Research Laboratory are being re-employed either directly or through external agents following recent staff reductions; what is the number of those ex-staff re-employed on a full or part-time basis; and what is the cost of this re-employment. [18704]
Mr. Norris: This is an operational matter for the Transport Research Laboratory.
I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from John Wootton to Mr. Neil Gerrard, dated 19 April 1995:
You asked a Parliamentary Question about the re-employment of former staff of the Transport Research Laboratory following recent staff reductions. The Minister for Local Transport and Road Safety has asked me to reply.
The staff reductions at TRL, which were necessary because of the reduced demand for the Laboratory's services, have led to the reorganisation of work in some areas and some transitional problems. As a result, 17 former staff are currently being re-employed directly on a part-time basis to meet short term pressures of work. The cost of this re-employment under fixed term contracts will be £129k. In addition, TRL are presently using the services on 16 former staff through external agents or contractors, 2 on a full-time basis, the remainder on a part-time basis. These former staff are engaged to undertake specific tasks of a limited duration and for which resources are in the main not required on a regular basis. The cost of employing these former staff through agencies or contractors varies month to month; the cost in March 1995 was £29k.
I hope this satisfactorily answers your enquiry.
Column 138
New Road Schemes
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what year the target of new starts for road schemes was last achieved. [19070]
Mr. Watts: In the year 1994 95.
National Road Programme
Mr. Robert Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what factors led to the revision of the national road programme summary of milestones for 1994 95. [19071]
Mr. Watts: The national road programme summary of milestones for 1994 95 was revised to reflect the priorities set out in the trunk roads in England 1994 review and the resources available following the 1994 Budget.
Air Service Agreements
Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to resist the EU negotiating bilateral air agreements until such time as the policy regarding state aid to airlines is identical in each member state; and if he will make a statement. [19914]
Mr. Norris: It is the Government's policy that member states should remain free to negotiate bilateral air service agreements, except in those cases, for example with Switzerland, where a mandate has been agreed in the Council of Ministers. The Government remain committed to opposing state aid in air transport which distorts competition.
White Hart Roundabout, Yeading
Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work to install phased traffic lights at the White Hart roundabout, Yeading, to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [19485]
Mr. Norris: This is a matter for the London borough of Ealing, but I understand that it expects to have the signals in place before the end of July.
Rail Safety Advice
Ms Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice about rail safety is provided by Railtrack to schools; and what comparable advice was supplied to schools before privatisation. [19440]
Mr. Watts: Railtrack has continued and developed the previous BR programme of school visits which incorporates talks, discussions and the distribution of a range of support materials. Train drivers and British Transport police officers visit schools regularly, warning children of the danger they can cause to themselves and to others. Besides the dangers of playing on the lines, topics covered include trespass, vandalism, high voltage electricity and stone throwing. Since Railtrack assumed responsibility, anti-trespass and vandalism initiatives, including school visits, have been co-ordinated by the Railtrack zones in co-operation with train operators and the BTP. This has led to an increase in the level of involvement of local managers and in support from communities.
Column 139
Navigational Lights
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what additional navigational lighting or related equipment is required for a sea -going vessel plying between the Seacon terminal on the Isle of Dogs on the River Thames to any inland port on the River Rhine capable of handling a vessel of up to 2,000 tonnes which are additional to those required by international rules for the sea; and under what authority any such additional requirement would be made. [19769]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The requirements for navigational lights on the River Thames conform to international rules as set out in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea in 1972. There are no additional requirements. The requirements for navigational lights in German inland waters are matters for the German authorities. It is for the owners and operators of ships operating between the UK and ports on the Rhine to ensure that they are aware of any localised navigational regulations.
Marine Accident Inspectors
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library copies, with or without the relevant names, of the contract of employment and terms of reference and duties of (a) the chief and deputy chief inspectors of marine accidents, and (b) those of their other inspectors; and what is the civil service or other basis of their remuneration and terms of employment. [19763]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The chief inspector of marine accidents has been employed on a contract since 3 January 1989 which has been extended until 31 December 1996. He is employed as a grade 5 in the salary range £36,739 to £54,815.
The deputy chief inspector of marine accidents is a grade 6 who is employed on standard conditions and the salary range is £28,213 to £47,044.
There are three principal inspector of marine accidents who are employed in the grade 7 salary range £24,724 to £38,290. There are six inspectors of marine accidents who are employed in the salary range £20,454 to £32,752. They are employed on standard civil service terms of employment.
The marine accident investigation branch is responsible for investigating accidents occurring to or on UK-registered ships and other ships in UK territorial waters, with the objective of improving safety of life at sea.
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what persons or body appointed the chief and deputy chief inspectors of marine accidents of the marine accident investigation branch of his Department; and if he will list the experience, professional qualifications and the previous appointments in the field of marine investigation of each inspector. [19762]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The Secretary of State for Transport appoints the chief and deputy chief inspector of marine accidents.
Column 140
Prior to his appointment, the chief inspector worked in the shipping industry for 33 years and is a fully qualified and experienced master mariner. His previous work on marine safety and on-board investigations included an appointment in industry as safety manager in BP Shipping.The incumbent deputy chief inspector has a successful background of 37 years in shipping and is also a fully qualified and experienced master mariner. He spent 27 years at sea and nine and a half years as a nautical surveyor in the Department of Transport marine directorate, later the Marine Safety Agency, before his present appointment. As a nautical surveyor, he carried out investigations into a number of marine accidents.
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what means the chief inspector of marine accidents has discharged his statutory duty of publishing collective summaries of the investigations made by his branch; and if he will list the date and reference of each such report. [19764]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Collective summaries of investigations were published on the following dates.
Edition number |Date --------------------------------------------- 1/90 |January 1990 2/90 |June 1990 3/90 |September 1990 1/91 |March 1991 2/91 |October 1991 1/92 |April 1992 2/92 |August 1992 3/92 |December 1992 1/93 |April 1993 2/93 |August 1993 3/93 |December 1993 1/94 |April 1994 2/94 |August 1994 3/94 |December 1994 Edition Number 1/95 is due to be published on 30 April 1995.
Shipping Accidents, Thames
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if the collision at Tower bridge, London at 02.30 on 18 October 1981 between the pleasure launch Hurlingham and the overtaking dredger vessel Bowtrader was referred to in the report to him of his marine accident investigation branch into the collision between the Bowbelle and the Marchioness in August 1989; if he will list the date and nature of specific action taken by his Department consequent to that collision; what assessment was made by his responsible officials of the likelihood of its repetition; and what assessment he has made of the similarities and dissimilarities between the circumstances and consequences of that collision and that occurring near Southwark bridge on 20 August 1989; [19766]
(2) what action was taken by any part of his Department on, or in respect of, crafts or ships on the River Thames subsequent to the collision between the passenger launch Hurlingham and the dredger Bowtrader at 02.30 on 18 October 1981 in respect of (a) laden or unladen trim of such, or similar, dredgers, (b) communication between bow lookout and wheelhouses and the numbers and duties of bow lookouts and (c) standing or visible orders to be made by the vessel owners, operators or captains in respect of these matters. [19765]
Column 141
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: The case of the collision between the pleasure launch Hurlingham and the dredger Bowtrader on 18 October 1981 is dealt with in annexe 11 of the chief inspector's report; the similarities and differences relating to earlier incidents are discussed in section 15 of the report. The incident was investigated by the casualty branch of the surveyor general's organisation and discussions held with the Port of London authority. The Department's surveyors were alerted to the problems of the view from the rear of the wheelhouse in vessels such as the Hurlingham and advised to consider this aspect in relation to survey and inspection of both new and existing vessels.
Marchioness Disaster
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedures were available prior to the establishment of the marine accident investigation branch in July 1989 for preliminary internal and non-public but published investigation, comparable to that mounted by it in respect of the Marchioness disaster, that would also assist him in deciding whether to initiate a full public inquiry authorised by the Merchant Shipping Acts. [19761]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: Section 55 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 provided for a preliminary inquiry to be held by a person appointed for the purpose by the Secretary of State. PI reports were not published but lessons learnt might be promulgated through merchant shipping notices.
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he received the main report of the chief inspector of marine accidents into the collision between the Bowbelle and the Marchioness on 20 August 1989; when he decided and on what grounds, that the nature of the report was such as to not require a full and formal inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Acts; when he first made that decision public and by what means; when he published the chief inspector's report; and what persons or bodies he consulted prior to his decision not to hold a full public inquiry. [19767]
Mr. Norris [holding answer 18 April 1995]: My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport received the report of the chief inspector of marine accidents on 5 June 1990. The report was published on 15 August 1991 and in December that year my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport announced the Hayes inquiry into river safety. On publication of the Hayes report in July 1992, in an oral statement made in this House on 9 July 1992, Official Report, columns 698 704, I said there was no case for a formal investigation because, as far as we were aware, all the facts had been established and no useful purpose would be served by such an inquiry. When making his decision, there is no requirement for the Secretary of State for Transport to consult other parties.
Mr. Spearing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each occasion when a Minister of the Crown indicated that it was not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to initiate an inquiry into the collision of the Marchioness and the Bowbelle on 20 August 1989 (a) orally in Parliament, (b) by written answer, (c) in writing to an hon. Member, (d) in writing to a relative of any deceased, or their legal representative and (e) in formal interview or deputation, stating in
| Next Section
| Home Page |