| Previous Section | Home Page |
Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need for alternative training facilities for members of the university air squadron of Queen's university, Belfast; and if he will make a statement. [39352]
Mr. Soames: Should the decision be taken to close Queen's university air squadron, alternative training facilities would in future be made available at other squadrons on the mainland for RAF sponsored students in Northern Ireland. Additional travelling expenses would be met by the Department.
RAF Units (Northern Ireland)
Mr. Wilkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the units and formations of the
Column 669
Royal Air Force currently in Northern Ireland with their locations; and what plans he has for changes to that list over the next three years. [39350]Mr. Soames: The following units of the Royal Air Force are currently based in Northern Ireland.
Units |Location -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Squadron RAF Regiment |RAF Aldergrove 230 Squadron Puma |RAF Aldergrove 27 Squadron Wessex |RAF Aldergrove Queen's University Air Squadron |Belfast City Airport No. 13 Air Experience Flight |Belfast City Airport
The Department has proposed the closure of Queen's university air squadron at the end of the 1995 96 academic year. This has been the subject of consultation with trade unions and other interested parties, and all representations will now be fully and carefully considered before any final decision is taken. Should Queen's UAS close, No. 13 Air Experience Flight, which shares accommodation with the UAS, would also close. It is, however, proposed to reactivate No. 664 Volunteer Gliding school to continue to provide flying experience for air cadets in Northern Ireland.
Derek Campion Laffey
Mr. Hinchcliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the reason for the discharge of 14190562 S/Sgt Derek Campion Laffey, Royal Corps of Transport; [38514]
(2) what estimate he has for the number of persons advised of discharge procedures by 14190562 S/Sgt Derek Campion Laffey, Royal Corps of Transport; [38515]
(3) what information was available to 14190562 S/Sgt Derek Campion Laffey, Royal Corps of Transport (a) during service and (b) at date of discharge; and if he will place it in the Library. [38516]
Mr. Soames: Mr. Laffey was discharged from the Army in June 1968. The information requested is not, therefore, readily available. Mr. Laffey's service documents have been requested from the records office at Hayes and my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available from those documents. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
Nuclear Test Veterans
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the number of veterans of British nuclear tests who were alive at the start of the study conducted into the effects of radiation on them by the National Radiological Protection Board; what is his estimate of the number still alive; and if he will make a statement. [39214]
Mr. Soames: Out of over 20,000 veterans' studies by the National Radiological Protection Board, more than 3,000 would have died--over 900 of them from cancer--if the veterans had suffered the same death and cancer rates as members of the public in the same age groups. In fact, fewer than 2,800 veterans died--fewer than 800 from cancer--these figures being no higher than for the
Column 670
matched control group in the NRPB study. It follows that there has been no overall excess of death or cancer among test participants.Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department has made into the value of having an overarching sub- Department dealing with veterans' affairs; when he last met representatives of the Government of the United States of America to discuss this matter; when he next plans to meet them to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement. [39210]
Mr. Soames: My Department has not carried out any studies into the value of having a sub-Department for veterans' affairs. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had any meetings with representatives of the Government of the United States of America to discuss this matter, nor has he any plans to do so.
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his Department's policy on the study by the National Radiological Protection Board into the effects of radiation on veterans of British nuclear tests; what instructions, advice and guidance he has given to the NRPB on the continuation of its study since the publication of its latest report; and if he will make a statement. [39215]
Mr. Soames: The studies conducted by the National Radiological Protection Board concluded that there has been no overall excess of death or cancer among British nuclear test participants. No instructions, advice or guidance have been given to the NRPB since the publication of the report in December, 1993, although we have made it clear that we see no need for a further study into the health of test veterans.
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what categories of written or recorded oral evidence, computerised data and other information gathered by the National Radiological Protection Board before, during and after its study into the effects of radiation on veterans of British nuclear tests is available for public inspection; what categories are not available for public inspection; what written or recorded oral evidence, computerised data and other information arising from this study has been destroyed or lost; and if he will make a statement. [39211]
Mr. Soames: Information available to the public is contained in the National Radiological Protection Board's report "Mortality and Cancer Incidence 1952 90 in United Kingdom Participants in the UK Atmospheric Nuclear Weapon Tests and Experimental Programmes", published in December 1993. Personal details including recorded radiation dosage are available only to the individuals to whom they refer or their next of kin. We are not aware of any evidence having been destroyed or lost.
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is his policy that the National Radiological Protection Board should continue its study into the effects of radiation on veterans of British nuclear tests; what proposals he has to assist them; and if he will make a statement. [39213]
Mr. Soames: We have no plans to sponsor any further studies.
Column 671
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with representatives of foreign Governments who pay and have paid compensation to veterans of nuclear tests; what conclusion he has drawn as to the reasons they have decided to take such action; and if he will make a statement. [39209]
Mr. Soames: Among British nuclear test veterans there has been no overall excess of death or malignant disease, so the question of compensation does not arise. I am not aware of detailed discussions with foreign Governments on the matter, but I understand that in the USA, some ex-service veterans involved in former atmospheric nuclear test programmes may receive a pension and entitlement to free medical care.
Royal Flight
Mr. Alan Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in 1994 95 the royal flight was used by members of the royal family; and how many of these flights were by fixed-wing aircraft. [38862]
Mr. Soames: During the financial year 1994 95, the Queen's flight was used by the royal family on 870 occasions; 479 of these flights were in fixed-wing aircraft.
Mr. Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes have taken place since 1992 in the organisation of the royal flight and in the methods of allocating and seconding costs. [38861]
Mr. Soames: On 1 April 1995, following a Cabinet Office efficiency scrutiny of royal and VIP communications flying, the Queen's flight amalgamated and collocated with No. 32 Squadron at RAF Northolt to form No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. Prior to financial year 1994 95, costs represented the total operating costs of TQF, but included some flying by entitled non- royal users which could not be separately identified because of disproportionate cost. From financial year 1995 96 onwards, costs are calculated on the proportionate usage by entitled members of the royal family of No. 32 (The Royal) Squadron. The general costing philosophy remains as before. From 1995 96, private flying by the royal family becomes a charge to the Privy purse and no longer falls to class I votes.
Exercise Brilliant Foil
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence who was the sponsor for Exercise Brilliant Foil, held between 18 and 22 September; and if he will make a statement. [39031]
Mr. Soames: Exercise Brilliant Foil was sponsored by Commander Air Forces North West Europe. It was a large-scale, multinational exercise, involving non-UK based foreign aircraft, designed to maintain the operational capabilities of the United Kingdom's air defence forces. It also provided valuable training for NATO offensive forces.
Nuclear Weapons
Mr. Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his Department's letter of 4 September, what factors led to his Department making available in the Vote Office copies of CM 2920, "The
Column 672
Atomic Weapons Establishment-Contractual Indemnities", on 14 August. [39259]Mr. Arbuthnot: On 6 July, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence laid a departmental minute before the House seeking its approval for certain indemnification arrangements in respect of the Atomic Weapons Establishment. In such a case, if no objections are raised during the ensuing 14 days, it is normal procedure for parliamentary approval to be assumed. Accordingly, CM 2920, which describes the arrangements, was published by HMSO on 14 August.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
Thurrock Borough Council
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Attorney-General, pursuant to his answer of 29 June, Official Report , column 782 , if he will publish the replies he has received from the solicitors acting on behalf of the (a) hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) and (b) the chief executive of Thurrock borough council in respect of the video sent to him; and if he will make a statement. [38715]
The Attorney-General: No. Neither of the letters referred to in my answer to the hon. Member of 29 June, Official Report , column 782 , required a response. The solicitors acting on behalf of the hon. Member for Billericay (Mrs. Gorman) did, however, request some further information.
Mr. Asil Nadir
Mr. Cox: To ask the Attorney-General what recent discussion he has had and with whom concerning Mr. Asil Nadir; and if he will make a statement. [38488]
The Attorney-General: I frequently discuss with the director of the Serious Fraud Office matters of departmental interest including the progress of current investigations and prosecutions. He keeps me informed of significant developments in cases including the Polly Peck case. It is my practice not to divulge the substance of discussions about current cases.
Prosecutions (Northern Ireland)
Mr. Robert McCartney: To ask the Attorney-General how many cases were sent forward for prosecution by the Northern Ireland Director of Public Prosecutions over the last 12 quarters, specifying the numbers of people so charged during those quarters; and if he will make a statement about the implications of the figures. [38482]
Column 673
The Attorney-General: Statistics are not kept by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland in the form as sought in the question. The director keeps statistics in relation to the number of files submitted to him for his decision. Statistics are also kept as to the number of persons prosecuted. These are as follows:
|Prosecutions
|directed
Quarter |Files received|(persons)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1992 July-September |2,854 |2,192
1992 October-December |2,748 |2,126
1993 January-March |2,720 |2,111
1993 April-June |2,570 |1,975
1993 July-September |2,571 |1,942
1993 October-December |2,708 |2,072
1994 January-March |2,898 |2,229
1994 April-June |2,934 |2,294
1994 July-September |3,056 |2,442
1994 October-December |3,087 |2,474
1995 January-March |3,154 |2,544
1995 April-June |2,423 |1,880
Total |33,723 |26,281
Serious Fraud Office
Mr. McMaster: To ask the Attorney-General what jurisdiction and role the Serious Fraud Office has in Scotland. [39220]
The Attorney-General: The Serious Fraud Office was established by section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. The power of the director of the Serious Fraud Office to investigate offences involving serious or complex fraud is confined to those justiciable in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. By virtue of section 17(2) of the 1987 Act the investigative powers of the director under section 2 of that Act--the powers to require the production of documents and the answering of questions--are exercisable in Scotland in connection with offences committed in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Provision is made in section 2(19) for the director to apply to a sheriff in Scotland for a warrant to be granted under section 2(4) and (5) to search premises in Scotland and to take possession of documents found therein.
NATIONAL HERITAGE
National Lottery
Mr. Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if the companies which successfully tendered for the national lottery contracts for (a) telecommunications links with lottery computer terminals, (b) software, (c) ticketing and consultancy services and (d) advice on consumer trends and retail development with the lowest cost bids in each case; [28723]
(2) how many companies tendered for the contract to provide Camelot with (a) telecommunications links with the national lottery computer terminals, (b) software for the national lottery, (c) ticketing and consultancy services for the national lottery and (d) advice on consumer trends and retail development. [38722]
Column 674
Mr. Sproat: This is an operational matter for Camelot Group plc. I have therefore asked the director general of the national lottery, who is responsible for regulating the operation of the lottery, to write to the hon. Member, placing copies of his response in the Libraries of the House.
Downe House, Kent
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what assistance her Department is giving in saving for the nation Charles Darwin's home, Downe house, at Downe, Kent; and if she will make a statement. [39072]
Mr. Sproat: My Department is providing grant-in-aid of £28.7 million in 1995 96 to the natural history museum, which took over the administration of Downe house in 1993. Decisions on how to spend this money are a matter for the trustees of the museum.
Media Concentration
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if she will make a statement on the European Commission's proposed directive on media concentration; and what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the concept of cross-European media regulations. [39234]
Mr. Sproat: The European Commission has not yet put forward proposals for a directive in this area, but has instead undertaken a series of consultations among member states and other interested parties. The Government's position is set out in our response to EC questionnaire No. III on "Pluralism and Media Concentration in the Internet Market", which is available in the Library of the House. Our view is that the media industry cannot be treated on the same basis as other sectors of the economy. Ownership restrictions are an essential safeguard for plurality and diversity and, as such, are distinct from the separate question of controls on anti-competitive behaviour. We believe that member states are best placed to assess where the balance lies in securing both economic and cultural objectives, and do not therefore support the case for introducing harmonising legislation at the European level.
HEALTH
Correspondence
Mr. Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to reply to the letter of 8 September sent to his Department from the Nottinghamshire local medical committee; and if he will make a statement. [38322]
Mr. Sackville: A reply was sent today.
Suicides
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total number of recorded suicides in each year since 1979. [38366]
Column 675
Mr. Bowis: The information is shown in the table.
Recorded deaths from suicide in England and Wales in years 1979-1994, ICD9<1> Code E950-E959. Year |Persons ------------------------ 1979 |4,195 1980 |4,321 1981 |4,419 1982 |4,279 1983 |4,279 1984 |4,315 1985 |4,419 1986 |4,126 1987 |3,986 1988 |4,220 1989 |3,717 1990 |3,950 1991 |3,893 1992 |3,952 1993<2> |3,485 1994<2> |3,256 <1> International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision. <2> Provisional.
Asthma
Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the under- diagnosis of asthma with particular reference to schools since 1989; and if he will make a statement on the diagnosis of asthma. [38314]
Mr. Sackville: The Department has not commissioned or evaluated any studies specifically on under-diagnosis of asthma. Diagnosis is a matter of professional judgment. However, we are concerned about the burden which results from asthma and its increasing incidence, particularly in children. We shall continue to work with the medical profession, the Department of the Environment, the National Asthma Campaign and other interested parties to improve our knowledge of the causes of asthma and to make life as normal as possible for those who suffer.
Mr. Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to undertake a comprehensive review of the causes and effects of asthma; and if he will make it his policy to create a unified national strategy to combat asthma, involving his Department and other interested bodies. [38315]
Mr. Sackville: The Government already support an extensive programme of asthma research, particularly through the Medical Research Council, which receives its grant in aid from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
In 1992, the Department of Health asked the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants to advise on the possible links between outdoor air pollution and asthma. Its report "Asthma and Outdoor Air Pollution" was published on 19 October 1995, and copies have been placed in the Library. In addition, the Departments of Health and of the Environment, in collaboration with the Institute for Environment and Health and the National Asthma Campaign, are organising an important conference on the possible causes and successful management of asthma, to be held on 23 November 1995.
Column 676
A wide-ranging review of the available information on the causes and effects of asthma, entitled "Asthma--An Epidemiological Overview", was published by the Department of Health in March 1995, a copy of which is available in the Library. Under the chronic disease management programme, introduced by the Department of Health in July 1993, over 90 per cent. of general practitioners are providing organised programmes of care for people with asthma.Hospital Discharge Procedures
Mr. Kevin Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many representations he has received concerning hospital discharge procedures; and if he will make a statement. [38036]
Mr. Bowis: We have received a number of representations concerning hospital discharge procedures. National health service and social services departments should work together to ensure that integrated and sensitive hospital discharge arrangements are in place.
Accident and Emergency Departments
Ms Glenda Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of patients presenting themselves to accident and emergency departments within (a) the London area and (b) England in 1994 were seen by a doctor more than four hours after arriving; [38625]
(2) what information his Department collects regarding waiting times for patients to be seen by a doctor after arriving in accident and emergency departments; [38629]
(3) what percentage of patients presenting themselves to accident and emergency departments within (a) the London area and (b) England in 1994 were seen by a doctor within two hours after arriving. [38624]
Mr. Sackville: This information is not available centrally. All hospitals should have a locally set standard on the time patients should wait before receiving treatment in an accident and emergency department once their initial need for treatment has been assessed and will collect information on this standard.
Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what percentage of patients admitted to hospital via an accident and emergency department waited more than four hours between the decision being made by a doctor to admit them and being admitted to a ward within (a) the London area and (b) England in 1994; [38627] (2) what percentage of patients admitted to hospital via an accident and emergency department waited less than two hours between the decision being made by a doctor to admit them and being admitted to a ward within (a) the London area and (b) England in 1994. [38626]
Mr. Sackville: This information is not available centrally at present. Since April 1995, there has been a patients charter standard that a patient admitted to hospital via an accident and emergency department can expect to be given a bed as soon as possible, and certainly within four hours. From April 1996, this standard will be improved to two hours. Information relating to this standard will become available in due course.
Column 677
Ms Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had regarding waiting times for patients to be seen by a doctor after arriving in accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement. [38628]
Mr. Sackville: My right hon. Friend has frequent discussions with interested parties on many aspects of patient care including the organisation of accident and emergency departments.
Internet
Sir Wyn Roberts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has for connecting the NHS to the Internet. [38744]
Mr. Sackville: Framework contracts have been awarded to British Telecom and Mercury for wide area network services to establish a national health service-wide electronic communications
infrastructure. This will provide an information super-highway dedicated to the NHS which will, in turn, be able to be connected to the global Internet through secure, centrally managed, gateways. These gateways will allow controlled access from the NHS-wide network but will prevent unauthorised intrusion from the Internet. Demonstration testing of the secure gateway between the NHS-wide networking services and the global Internet is under- way.
Medicines
Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for reducing the cost to the NHS of medicines which are an alternative to those previously containing chlorofluorocarbons as a propellant. [38870]
Mr. Malone: We have no such plans.
Birth Defects
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by regional health authority the percentage of parents who have declined to abort a pregnancy when told their child may have a birth defect for each of the last four years. [39017]
Mr. Sackville: This information is not available centrally.
Private Finance Initiative
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts have approached his Department with proposals for the involvement of private sector bodies in the provision of treatment facilities within NHS hospitals. [39062]
Mr. Sackville: National health service hospitals and facilities have always been built by private sector bodies. I have previously listed projects approved under the private finance initiative for the provision of facilities for the NHS, including the nature of the project. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) on 18 October Official Report , column 280 .
Mr. Redmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to health authorities and NHS trusts relating to the involvement of
Column 678
private sector bodies in the provision of facilities for treatment within the NHS. [39061]Mr. Sackville: The national health service executive issued guidance about the private finance initiative under HSG(95)15 in March 1995, copies of which are available in the Library. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Dulwich (Ms Jowell) on 16 October Official Report , columns 141-42 and to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) on 4 February 1994 Official Report , columns 977- 78 .
Alcohol
Ms Primarolo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each age cohort drank alcohol at least once each week, for each of the last five years, by gender. [38775]
Mr. Bowis: The available information is shown in the table.
Percentage of people drinking alcohol at least once a
week by sex
and age
Percentage Age groups
|16 to 24|25 to 44|45 to 64|over
------------------------------------------------------
Males
1990 |76 |80 |77 |67
1992 |76 |78 |76 |67
Females
1990 |56 |59 |55 |46
1992 |58 |58 |57 |43
Notes:
1. Percentages are rounded to nearest whole figure.
2. The General Household Survey collects data in
alternate years only. The latest year for which data
is available is 1992.
Sources:
General Household Surveys 1990 and 1992 (Office of
Populations, Censuses and Surveys-analysis by
Department of Health).
Ms Primarolo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost to the NHS of alcohol-related patient episodes, for each of the last five years. [38777]
Mr. Malone: There is no generally accepted method of producing such estimates.
Ms Primarolo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each age cohort drank more than the recommended amount of alcohol per week, for each of the last five years, by gender. [38776]
Mr. Bowis: The available information is given in the table.
Percentage of the population aged 16 and above drinking above
recommended sensible level: England 1990 to 1992:
Percentage
Age Groups
|65 and
|16 to 24|25 to 44|45 to 64|over |Total
---------------------------------------------------------------
Males
1990 |32 |33 |26 |14 |27
1992 |33 |30 |24 |15 |26
Females
1990 |17 |13 |10 |5 |11
1992 |17 |14 |12 |5 |12
Notes:
1. Percentages are rounded to nearest whole figure.
2. The General Household Survey collects data in alternate
years only. The latest year for which data are available is
1992.
3. The currently recommended sensible levels for alcohol
consumption, 21 unites per week for men and 14 units per week
for women<1> were adopted by the Government when it published
in 1991 the Lord President's Report on Action Against Alcohol
Misuse. They refer to adults only. The Government's advice on
sensible drinking is currently being reviewed by an
inter-departmental group of officials in light of the latest
scientific and medical evidence.
<1>A unit of alcohol is 8 grams; the amount contained in half
a pint of ordinary beer or larger, or in a small glass of wine,
or in a standard measure of sprits.
Source:
OPCS General Household Survey (Analysis by Department of
Health).
Oral Contraceptives
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about the procedures adopted by his Department in respect of the brands of oral
Column 680
contraceptives about which a public warning was given on 19 October, with special reference of when the decision to give the warning about contraceptives was taken; when general practitioners and doctors working in family planning clinics were notified; and how the notification was given. [39353]Mr. Sackville: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a statement in the House on 23 October.
Smoking
Ms Primarolo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the cost to the NHS of tobacco-related patient episodes, for each of the last five years. [38774]
Mr. Sackville: The relationship between tobacco use and individual patient episodes is not straightforward. The best available assessment, from the Health Education Authority's 1993 report "The Smoking Epidemic--A Prescription for Change", estimated that the cost to the NHS of treating smoking-related diseases is £610 million.
Ms Primarolo: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of the population in each age cohort by gender, were regular smokers, for each of the last five years. [38773]
Mr. Sackville: Estimates of smoking prevalence are not carried out on a year-by-year basis. The available information is shown in the table.
Column 679
Percentage of the population who were regular smokers England, 1990 to 1992
Percentage
Age groups
|11-15 |16-19 |20-24 |25-34 |35-49 |50-59 |60 and above
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Males
1990 |9 |28 |39 |37 |34 |27 |24
1992 |9 |29 |39 |35 |31 |27 |20
1993 |8 |<>n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a
1994 |10 |<>n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a
Females
1990 |11 |33 |39 |34 |32 |27 |19
1992 |10 |24 |37 |33 |28 |28 |19
1993 |11 |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a
1994 |13 |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a |n/a
Notes:
1. Percentages rounded to the nearest whole figure.
2. The General Household Survey collects data on smoking prevalence in alternate years only. The latest year for
which data are available is 1992.
n/a-not available.
Source:
OPCS General Household Survey and, smoking among secondary schoolchildren. Analysis by Department of Health.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if the quinquennial review of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority will include a reconsideration of the current exclusion from its membership of individuals who have ethical objections to the use of living human embryos for experimental purposes; and if he will make a statement; [39280]
Column 680
(2) what steps he intends to take to implement the policy of Her Majesty's Government that the membership of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority should be balanced; and if he will make a statement. [39281]
| Next Section
| Home Page |