| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the World Health Organisation's guideline for the maximum permitted concentration of vanadium in the atmosphere; and what is the range of concentrations found near (a) power stations, (b) oil refineries and (c) other industrial sources of airborne vanadium. [32004]
Mr. Atkins: The WHO air quality guideline for vanadium for a 24-hour averaging period is 1gm --1000 ng m .
The Department of the Environment has been monitoring airborne concentrations of vanadium at three rural sites at Chilton, Oxfordshire; Styrrup, Nottinghamshire and Wraymires in Cumbria since 1972 and at one urban site in Central London since 1976.
The results from the central London site are given as annual averages for each year since 1976. The results from the rural network are given in summary form with the central London site given for comparison.
Annual average vanadium concentrations in air (microgrammes m<-3>) in central London Year |Central London --------------------------------------------- 1976 |50 1977 |33 1978 |48 1979 |22 1980 |20 1981 |24 1982 |23 1983 |19 1984 |32 1985 |14 1986 |14 1987 |14 1988 |16 1989 |15 1990 |20 1991 |15 1992 |12
Vanadium concentrations in air (ng m<-><3>)
at urban and rural sites in the UK<1>
|London |Chiltern |Styrrup |Wraymires
---------------------------------------------------------------
mean 1972-81 |<1>33 |11 |14.7 |7.2
mean 1982-91 |18.4 |6.1 |8.1 |3.3
<1> "Digest of Environmental Protection and Water Statistics"
HMSO, No. 17, 1995.
Tenants
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance is issued to local authorities concerning the method of consultation with representatives of their tenants; and if he will make a statement. [32221]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: Guidance to local authorities about consultation with tenants is provided in:
"Large-scale voluntary transfers guidelines", December 1993; "Tenant Involvement in Housing Management", March 1994; and "Housing Strategies: Guidance for local authorities on the preparation of housing strategies", 1995.
Redundant Council Workers
Mr. Welsh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for what maximum period of time compensation schemes for council workers made redundant by local government reorganisation operate. [32186]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: In England, entitlement to payment of redundancy compensation arising from reorganisation can arise in the period from the date the relevant reorganisation order is made to 18 months after reorganisation takes place.
Supermarkets
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration is given by his Department to the location of large supermarkets in urban areas; what criteria are used in respect of car parking and the effects on other shopping areas; and if he will make a statement. [32357]
Sir Paul Beresford: The Government's policy is to encourage supermarkets to locate in existing shopping centres in urban areas. Where this is not possible, an edge-of-centre site should be sought, within easy walking distance of the centre, to ensure it is accessible by a choice
Column 219
of means of transport. Applications for out- of-centre supermarkets should be assessed in terms of their likely impact on existing centres, their accessibility by a choice of means of transport and their effect on overall car use. With regard to their impact on existing centres, they should be assessed in terms of its impact on trade, future investment in the centre and on the authority's strategy for the centre.Car parking standards for large supermarkets vary from authority to authority and reflect the location of the store. In London, suburban out-of -centre stores tend on average to have one space per 10 sq m of gross floor space; inner suburban out-of-centre stores one space per 13 sq m, whereas town centre stores can mange comfortably with 1 per 20 to 25 sq m gross floor space. This reflects their respective reliance on the car for access. The Government are proposing a general review of car parking standards, including those for large food stores.
Planning Applications
Mr. Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those planning authorities whose standing orders make provision for members of the public to present their case in person during the discussion of planning applications. [32655]
Sir Paul Beresford: My Department does not collect this information.
Statutory Joint Authorities
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in what circumstances the power to establish a statutory joint authority under section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992 will be available to him. [33090]
Mr. Robert B. Jones: The Government's policy is that local authorities which are granted unitary powers should be capable of undertaking the full range of functions entrusted to them. Our guidance to the Local Government Commission reflects this aim and we have carried it through in our decisions.
Under Section 14(5)(c) of the Local Government Act 1992, the Local Government Commission may recommend that joint arrangements are made in relation to local authority functions in an area affected by structural change. It has recommended joint arrangements for structure planning in a number of areas. We have endorsed those recommendations and look to the authorities concerned to make voluntary arrangements accordingly.
Section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992 contains back-up powers for the Secretary of State to establish a statutory joint authority where voluntary arrangements have not been made, or have broken down. Previous ministerial statements about joint working have suggested that the power granted by this section may be exercised in any case where, having regard to the recommendations of the commission, the Secretary of State had requested authorities affected by a structural change order to carry out a function jointly and those arrangements had failed or had failed to materialise.
Column 220
We are now advised that this power will be available only in those cases where joint working is to take place between authorities all of which have acquired the relevant function as a result of a structural or boundary change. It will not be available where, for example, a new unitary authority has been asked to work with an existing county council.This new understanding does not affect local authority powers to enter into voluntary joint arrangements. We continue to support the recommendations of the commission in respect of joint working on structure plans by unitary authorities and existing county councils. We look forward to the authorities concerned making suitable voluntary arrangements for the maintenance of an up-to-date strategic planning framework for each of the joint structure plan areas indicated. Following reorganisation, the Secretary of State's powers of intervention in the structure plan process under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 remain unchanged. He will consider the availability and use of those powers in the usual way in order to achieve effective strategic planning.
Environment Council
Mr. Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Environment Council on 22 and 23 June. [33218]
Mr. Gummer: I represented the UK at the Environment Council in Luxembourg held on 22 and 23 June. Agreement was reached, subject to a parliamentary scrutiny reserve, on four key measures.
I was able to support the common position the Council reached on the proposal for integrated pollution prevention and control. This measure follows a UK initiative and will lead to an integrated approach to pollution control decisions taking into account emissions to all environmental media. Overall, the directive will raise environmental standards across Europe and help to provide a level playing field for UK industry.
There was a short discussion of the proposal for a directive on ambient air quality assessment and management and a common position was agreed unanimously. I joined colleagues from all member states in welcoming the proposed directive which will help to tackle the problems of air pollution across Europe and is in line with existing UK practice.
A common position was also achieved by unanimity on the proposal for the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances--amended Seveso directive. The proposal closely reflects UK philosophy and practice.
The Council reached a common position unanimously on a new regulation to replace the existing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species measures. I welcome the regulation which will require all member states to control trade in endangered species more effectively. The Council also agreed to a UK proposal to
Column 221
retain the existing 1981 regulation banning commercial imports of whale products.Agreement was also reached on Council conclusions on the follow-up to the Berlin conference of the parties to the climate change convention. I made it clear during the discussion that the UK continued to oppose a mandatory EU wide carbon energy tax. There were discussions on many other issues, including the disposal of disused oil installations, motor vehicle emissions and the proposal for a directive on the ecological quality of water.
Dounreay
Mr. McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about the explosion which occurred in May 1977 at the Dounreay nuclear power plant station near Thurso in Scotland; what is his assessment of the damage caused by the explosion; and what are the environmental consequences both then and now. [32431]
Mr. Page: I have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under- Secretary of State for Scotland on 13 June 1994, Official Report , column 472 , to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) and the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Maryhill (Mrs. Fyfe) on 29 June 1995, Official Report , column 747.
HEALTH
First-time Mothers (Publications)
Mr. Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals she has to alter the distribution and budget for the publications "Birth to Five" and "The Pregnancy Book". [32161]
Mr. Sackville: None. Both the publications are published by the Health Education Authority and issued free to all first-time mothers.
Foetuses
Mr. Patten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 22nd June, Official Report, column 344, what action she will now take following the completion of research for her Department in May into foetuses feeling pain while being aborted. [32506]
Mr. Sackville: No action is called for.
Market Testing
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to extend the current market testing programme to core clinical services. [32359]
Mr. Sackville: The selection of clinical services for market testing is a matter for local management. Guidance was set out in EL (95)29, issued in April, copies of which are available in the Library.
Column 222
Physiotherapy
Mr. Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if physiotherapy is categorised as a core clinical service. [32220]
Mr. Bowis: The national health service does not use the term "core clinical services". The nature of physiotherapy services required in hospital or community health services is a matter for purchasers to determine in collaboration with providers, taking account of appropriate professional advice.
Suicides
Mr. Caborn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records her Department keeps of the numbers of doctors and other health workers who commit suicide while working in the NHS, together with information on the causes of death. [32226]
Mr. Malone: This information is not available centrally.
Glaucoma
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what measures are in place to monitor the success rate for the detection of glaucoma; and if she will make a statement; [32351] (2) if she will make a statement as to what measures are planned to improve the detection rate of glaucoma. [32341]
Mr. Sackville: Although the Government recognise the importance of the early detection of glaucoma, this is primarily a matter for the medical and optometric professions. However, we are currently working with the relevant professional bodies to improve the quality of detection and referral of eye disease, including glaucoma.
Mr. Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what evidence she has indicating whether there is a universal standard of testing for glaucoma by optometrists across the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement. [32353]
Mr. Malone: Screening for diseases of the eye, of which glaucoma is one, is part of the routine sight test procedure carried out by optometrists and ophthalmic medical practitioners. We have no reason to believe that standards of sight testing vary.
Mr. Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for glaucoma, per family health service authority, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [32350]
Mr. Sackville: Figures in the form requested are not available centrally.
From "Morbidity Statistics from General Practice" it is estimated that, in England, about 101,000 patients suffering from glaucoma were treated by general practitioners during the 1991 92 financial year. Figures are not available for the other years requested.
Column 223
Mr. Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to ensure that all people with a higher risk of developing glaucoma obtain all three available tests for the condition from an optometrist; and if she will make a
statement. [32352]
Mr. Malone: Close relatives aged 40 or over of diagnosed glaucoma sufferers are automatically entitled to a free national health service sight test, to enable their eyesight to be monitored at no cost to themselves. The examination techniques used in carrying out a sight test are a matter for the clinical decision of the practitioner.
Asthma
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to empower health authorities and commissions to treat the causes as well as the effects of asthma; and if she will make a statement. [32346]
Mr. Sackville: The causes of asthma are unclear, but it is likely that both generic and environmental factors, including exposure to a range of possible allergens, are involved. Work on investigating possible causes is continuing. We have no plans to increase the powers of health authorities and commissions.
National Blood Authority
Ms Jowell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the total amount being spent by the National Blood Authority on national new donor day. [32111]
Mr. Sackville: The National Blood Authority anticipates that the estimated expenditure on local publicity is likely to be around £15, 000.
NHS Ethnic Health Unit
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider funding the development of medical education materials for the ethnic health unit for use at both undergraduate and postgraduate level; and if she will make a statement. [32342]
Mr. Malone: The national health service ethnic health unit was established to work with health authorities and trusts to secure greater benefit for people from ethnic minorities, from the implementation of national and local health strategies. The unit is not responsible for medical education and training. This is a matter for the General Medical Council, the medical royal colleges and the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice.
Health Services (Access)
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has commissioned or examined into racism as a factor in access to health services; and if she will make a statement [32344]
Mr. Malone: The Department of Health and other Government Departments have funded the fourth national survey of ethnic minorities, which is being conducted by the Policy Studies Institute. The health section of the survey examines ethnic minorities' access to health services and factors which may facilitate or deter access. The experience of ethnic minorities will be compared with that of whites.
Column 224
The Department of Health has also commissioned the Refugee Council to undertake a survey to identify the barriers that prevent access to health services for refugees in the United Kingdom.Multi-cultural Health Care
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider appointing to each national health service executive region mangers with responsibility for implementing and monitoring her Department's policy on multi-cultural health care; and if she will make a statement. [32343]
Mr. Malone: After abolition of regional health authorities, it will not be appropriate for public health functions to be managed directly by national health service executive regional offices. Ownership of these functions lies at local level, reflecting the responsibility of health authorities for the overall health of the population. The NHS ethnic health unit works with health authorities and NHS trusts to secure greater benefit for minority ethnic people from the health service.
The priorities and planning guidance for 1996 97, published by the NHS executive in June 1995, requires health authorities and trusts to pay particular attention in seeking and addressing the concerns of those with special needs. The performance management arm of the NHS executive regional offices hold health authorities to account for the implementation of national policies, including the development of services for minority ethnic people.
Medical Training
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what formal education in the health and health care of different cultural groups is available to the medical profession; and if she will make a statement. [32345]
Mr. Malone: The General Medical Council is responsible for the standard of undergraduate medical education. Its most recent recommendations, published in "Tomorrow's Doctors" in December 1993, recognise the need for matters concerning ethnicity to be addressed within the undergraduate medical curriculum.
The medical royal colleges are responsible for the content of postgraduate medical training and education.
The body responsible for general practice vocational training--the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice--expects general practitioners to be knowledgeable about the social, cultural and environmental factors which contribute to health and illness. The specific curricular arrangements to achieve these attributes are the responsibility of regional postgraduate organisations. Further training and experience are provided as part of the continuing education of practitioners.
Dental Services
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received indicating an increase in emergency consultations by patients with general practitioners concerning dental problems; and if she will make a statement. [32347]
Column 225
Mr. Malone: Two general practitioners have written to the Department of Health on this subject over the past year. Under their terms and conditions of service, GPs are not required to provide dental treatment to their patients.
Specialist Cancer Consultants
Mr. Alex Carlile: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on global supply and demand of specialist cancer surgeons. [32402]
Mr. Malone: Cancer is treated by doctors in a number of specialities. Consultants in the specialties of medical oncology, clinical oncology--radiotherapy--radiology/nuclear medicine, haematology and general surgery all treat cancer patients. However, they are not all involved full time in the treatment of cancer. In addition, other specialties are also involved in the treatment of cancer.
The Government seek to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained doctors in each specialty, including those involved in the treatment of cancer. This involves planning the number of doctors in higher specialist training on a specialty by specialty basis. Employment of consultants is a matter for local employing bodies, which make medical staffing decisions in the light of competing priorities and the health care needs of the local population. On 24 April 1995, following wide consultation, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health announced a strategic framework for the future development of cancer services based on the report "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services", copies of which are available in the Library.
NHS Executive Headquarters (Staff)
Mr. Fatchett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list (a) the number of staff who have been offered and accepted early retirement or voluntary redundancy at the national health service executive headquarters, Quarry house, Leeds, in 1995, (b) the cost of the voluntary redundancies and early retirements and (c) the initial costs of relocating the relevant staff to Leeds. [32529]
Mr. Sackville: Some 143 staff at the national health service executive headquarters, Leeds have been offered and accepted voluntary early severance or retirement. On redundancy and early retirement costs I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Barking (Ms Hodge) on 25 May 1995, columns 759-60 . On relocation costs, I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 13 January, column 258 .
Rape Support Services
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many organisations there are in London which provide support services for women and girls who have been raped or sexually assaulted; if she will list those organisations; and what is the current level of government funding for those services. [32530]
Mr. Bowis: This information is not available centrally.
Column 226
Edgware General Hospital
Mr. Dykes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will reconsider the closure recommendation made by the district health authority for the accident and emergency department of Edgware General hospital, Edgware, Middlesex, pursuant to the letter sent on 27 June by the hon. Member for Harrow, East to the Prime Minister. [32656]
Mr. Malone: No. I have nothing to add to the replies I gave my hon. Friend on 21 June, column 259 .
Clinical Negligence Scheme
Mr. Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will provide a list, by region, of those trusts which (a) have joined and (b) not joined the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. [27902]
Mr. Malone [holding answer 12 June 1995]: This information will be placed in the Library.
General Practitioners
Mr. Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many single-handed general practitioners' practices were in receipt of payments under part VI, paragraph 34, section 2(u) of the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 in (a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994 and (d) in the current year; [28102]
(2) what was (a) the lowest, (b) the highest and (c) the average payment made to single-handed general practitioners' practices under part VI, paragraph 34, section 2(u) of the NHS (General Medical Services) Regulations 1992 in (a) 1992, (b) 1993, (c) 1994 and (d) in the current year. [28083]
Mr. Malone [holding answer 12 June 1995]: The numbers in each financial year were as follows:
1992 93: 5
1993 94: 6
1994 95: 5
However, not all practices were in receipt of payments throughout the whole of each financial year.
Information available centrally does not identify payments made to individual general practitioners.
In 1994 95, the average payment was £19,057.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Orders in Council
Mr. William Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table showing for each of the last three years and the current year the number of Orders in Council applying to Northern Ireland under (a) affirmative, (b) negative and (c) emergency procedures. [32383]
Column 227
Sir John Wheeler: The information in respect of Orders in Council made under paragraph 1 of schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Act 1974 is as follows:
|Emergency
Year |Affirmative|Negative |procedures
------------------------------------------------------------
1992 |12 |8 |nil
1993 |12 |4 |nil
1994 |12 |4 |1
1995 |6 |nil |nil
RUC Reserve
Ms Mowlam: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recruits to the RUC full-time and part-time reserve will have training designed to improve community awareness and understanding; and if such training is available to longer serving officers in the RUC full-time and part-time reserve. [31048]
Sir John Wheeler: All new recruits to the RUC (full-time) reserve receive community awareness training. The training is currently under evaluation and it is proposed that it should be extended to the RUC (part- time) reserve.
A programme of divisional training is provided to longer serving officers. During the present cycle of divisional training, one of the subjects covered is professional police ethics which deals with community awareness perspective.
| Next Section
| Home Page |