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WATER INDUSTRY BILL [MONEY]
Queen's recommendation having been signified--
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 52(1)(a),
Question agreed to.
Madam Speaker:
With permission, I shall put together the motions relating to delegated legislation.
Motion made, and Question put forthwith, pursuant to Standing Order No. 118(6) (Standing Committees on Delegated Legislation),
Resolved,
Ordered,
Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):
I wish to present a petition, signed by 1,425 people of Slough, which states:
Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York):
With permission, I would like to submit a petition from constituents in the Vale of York, expressing their protest against the proposed pylons across the North Yorkshire countryside. The petition has attracted 1,128 signatures and addresses specifically health and other risks. I hope that the petition will convince Ministers of the need to research the health effects of emissions from overhead power lines on people living nearby. The petitioners declare
Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.--[Mr. Hill.]
Fiona Mactaggart (Slough):
I requested this debate because of the series of cuts in community health services that were proposed by Berkshire health authority, which is responsible for health care across the area of the former Berkshire county council. As the House has heard, that has caused deep concern to more than 1,000 of my constituents who signed a petition on the subject which I have just submitted. I am glad, therefore, that since I requested the debate, Berkshire health authority has made significant changes to its proposals.
For many years, our county has been an area of major population growth, and only recently has health funding started to follow the people. Historically, Berkshire health authority has been underfunded in terms of the needs of the local population. Out of 100 health authorities, Berkshire comes 96th in spending per head, getting some £100 a head less than most health authorities.
The Labour Government have taken some initial steps towards rectifying that. I am glad to say that in both of the past two years, Berkshire has received among the highest percentage increases in health spending in England. Nevertheless, there is still an underlying deficit, and local health services remain very much under pressure.
Berkshire has an image of green prosperity, but the image is incomplete. The prosperity, and the good health that it brings, is not universal. Within Berkshire, the town that I represent, Slough, has the greatest deprivation. It also has the highest incidence of coronary heart disease in Berkshire. We are among the top 50 local authorities in the country for deaths of people under 65 from coronary heart disease--coming just between Birmingham and Newcastle-upon-Tyne--and among the top 10 for people of all ages, coming between Carlisle and Hackney. We have a worse record in terms of coronary heart disease--[Interruption.]
Madam Speaker:
Order. What is that noise?
Fiona Mactaggart:
I believe that I am responsible, Madam Speaker.
Madam Speaker:
The hon. Lady should know that she should not have that device on in the Chamber.
Fiona Mactaggart:
I know that, Madam Speaker, and I sincerely apologise. I do not understand why it is doing that.
Madam Speaker:
Leave it outside.
Fiona Mactaggart:
We have a worse record on coronary heart disease than not only other districts in Berkshire but neighbouring London boroughs such as Hillingdon, Hounslow and Ealing. We have the highest incidence of lung cancer, bowel cancer and pneumonia in Berkshire, and the most hospital admissions for all the top five causes of death.
"Our Healthier Nation" pledged to improve the health of the worst-off and to narrow the health gap. The pledge to tackle health inequalities was very important to Slough, as to other areas with a health record substantially worse than the national average.
Mr. Martin Salter (Reading, West):
Will my hon. Friend give way?
Madam Speaker:
Order. Is the Minister aware that there is to be an intervention? The Chair has not been informed.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Mr. John Hutton):
I have no objection.
Mr. Salter:
Does my hon. Friend agree that, in some aspects of the review and in the lamentable episode of attempting to make cuts in community health services in Berkshire, the health authority failed to take account not only of the White Paper on the national health service but of the recent policy document "Supporting Our Families", which envisaged an enhanced role for health visitors? Is it not important for Ministers to impress on health authorities the need to produce policies in line with Government health policies?
That for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Water Industry Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of any increase attributable to the Act in the sums so payable under any other Act.--[Mr. Allen.]
That the draft Forensic Science Service Trading Fund Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th November, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.
That the draft Functions of Traffic Wardens (Scotland) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 5th November, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Ireland) Order 1998 be made in the form of the draft laid before this House on 9th November, in the last session of Parliament.
That the draft Broadcasting (Restrictions on the Holding of Licences) (Amendment) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 11th November, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.
That the draft Rates (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, which was laid before this House on 12th November, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.
That the Value Added Tax (Input Tax) (Amendment) Order 1998 (S.I., 1998, No. 2767), dated 12th November 1998, a copy of which was laid before this House on 12th November, in the last session of Parliament, be approved.--[Mr. Allen.]
Question agreed to.
That--
i. the matter of the Comprehensive Spending Review in Northern Ireland, being a matter relating exclusively to Northern Ireland, be referred to the Northern Ireland Grand Committee for its consideration; and
ii. at the sitting on Thursday 10th December:
(a) the Committee shall consider the matter referred to it in paragraph (i) above; and
(b) a Motion for the adjournment of the Committee may be made by a Minister of the Crown pursuant to Standing Order No. 116(5).--[Mr. Allen.]
That Janet Anderson and Mr. George Mudie be discharged from the Accommodation and Works Committee and Mr. Keith Bradley and Mr. David Jamieson be added to the Committee.--[Mr. McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.]
Ordered,
That Jackie Ballard be discharged from the Catering Committee and Mr. Paul Keetch be added to the Committee.--[Mr. McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.]
Ordered,
That Mrs. Theresa May be discharged from the Education and Employment Committee and Mr. John Hayes be added to the Committee.--[Mr. McWilliam, on behalf of the Committee of Selection.]
The Petition of citizens of Slough declares that the cuts in community health services planned by the Berkshire Health Authority will damage the health of the people of this town.
To lie upon the Table.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Health to stop the cuts and require the health authority to work to improve the health of the people of Slough.
that we object to the decision to allow electricity pylons to be erected in the constituency, and fear that they might be dangerous to our health.
To lie upon the Table.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Health to commission government research into the health effects of emissions from overhead power lines on those living nearby.
10.2 pm
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