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Herbal Medicines
Mr. Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to change the regulations on the sale and use of herbal medicines. [67854]
Ms Jowell:
Ministers have asked the Medicines Control Agency, in the light of the expansion in the range of herbal remedies on the market in recent years, to consider whether there is a need to update the lists of specified potent or toxic herbs which are subject to restrictions on sale and supply. The lists of herbs, which are set out in the Schedule to the Medicines (Retail Sale
3 Feb 1999 : Column: 669
or Supply of Herbal Remedies) Order 1977, have not been reviewed since they were first established. If the Agency identifies a need to amend the lists, the proposals will be subject to public consultation.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what responsibilities which his Department had prior to the Comprehensive Spending Review are to be (a) discontinued by his Department, (b) transferred to another department, (c) transferred to an executive agency and (d) added to his Department over the period 1998-99 to 2001-02. [68406]
Mr. Denham:
Following the comprehensive spending review, there are two areas where the Department will be transferring responsibility. First, support for local authorities which accommodate adult asylum seekers and asylum-seeking families will be funded through the Home Office. Secondly, the London rough sleepers Initiative which has to date been funded by the Department, will become the responsibility of the London rough sleepers unit, an agency which will report to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional legislation, not currently before Parliament, was assumed in the production of his Department's spending allocation for 1999-2000 to 2001-02 in the Comprehensive Spending Review. [68422]
Mr. Denham:
There is a long-standing convention that legislative proposals for each year are not announced before the Queen's Speech at the start of the relevant Session.
Mr. Salter:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the recommendations of the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment in respect of harmful chemicals in soft PVC toys. [68916]
Dr. Howells:
I have been asked to reply.
I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him today to PQ number 68917, Official Report, column 623.
Independent Adjudication Officers
Mr. Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what level of qualifications and experience is required for those undertaking the role of independent adjudication officers in social security cases; what medical training or guidance they receive with regard to their duties; and if he will make a statement. [67370]
Angela Eagle:
The administration of the Benefits Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Peter Mathison. He will write to my hon. Friend.
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Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. David Hinchliffe, dated 2 February 1999:
Mr. Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how he intends to deal with the backlog of debt owed to the Benefits Agency due to overpayment of benefits; and if he will detail his plans for the write-off of old debts. [67758]
Angela Eagle:
Administration of the Benefits Agency and recovery of overpayments is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency, Peter Mathison. He will write to my right hon. Friend.
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Letter from Peter Mathison to Mr. Frank Field, dated 2 February 1999:
Mr. Sawford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he expects to announce the outcome of the review of compensation for vaccine damaged children. [68239]
Mr. Bayley:
Consideration is still being given to this complex and sensitive issue and an announcement will be made in due course.
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what level of qualifications and experience is required for those undertaking the role of independent adjudication officers in social security cases, what medical training or guidance they receive with regard to their duties, and if he will make a statement.
The relevant experience of Benefits Agency staff appointed to be Adjudication Officers (AOs) is taken into account in deciding the level of duties undertaken. AOs considering Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance claims and questions in relation to claims for Industrial Injury Disablement Benefits are of an executive grade. The minimum qualifications for direct entry into this grade are five 'O' levels/GCSEs and two A levels.
Prior to commencing their duties all AOs receive a full adjudication training programme as well as periodic refresher training as and when appropriate, for example when changes in legislation occur. In addition to training, both general and specific adjudication guidance is provided in the Adjudication Officer's Guide issued by Central Adjudication Services.
Non medical adjudication officers have access to Medical Services as a source of advice when considering adjudication decisions on claims to disability benefits including Incapacity Benefit (IB). This advice may take the form of specific advice on a particular query, or a full medical report following examination of the claimant. For the All Work Test on IB the medical report forms part of the evidence of AO uses in reaching their decision.
Guidance is also available to AOs dealing with DLA in the form of the Disability Handbook which provides information on the likely effects on a variety of medical conditions. The Handbook has been written by medical staff of the Department of Social Security with advice from the DLA Advisory Board and contributions from many organisations representing people with disabilities. Decisions on entitlement to DLA are not medical decisions although AOs may consult Medical Services doctors for advice when considering more complex cases. Medical services doctors, who are all experienced medical practitioners, receive special training for this role.
Some adjudication decisions, in claims for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and Severe Disablement Allowance, are made by Adjudicating Medical Authorities (AMAs). These individuals are fully qualified medical practitioners with wide experience of general medicine. In addition the AMA will undergo specific training to enable them to undertake this specialised form of assessment. The Chief Medical Advisor to the Department of Social Security formally appoints the AMA on successful completion of this training and the length of the appointment is dependent on the doctor maintaining the quality and professional standards laid down for them. In addition to their formal training AMAs are issued with Handbooks, for each of the above benefits, which acts as an aide memoire to the doctor and which cover all aspects of this work.
Under the Government's Decision Making and Appeals (DMA) provisions medical examinations will remain the same. However for IIDB and SDA instead of making a decision under DMA the AMA will instead offer advice in the form of a doctor's report. The Decision maker will be guided by the Doctor's Report in reaching their decision on any entitlement to benefit.
I hope you find this reply helpful.
I am replying to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how we intend to deal with the backlog of debt owed to the Benefits Agency (BA) due to overpayment of benefits; and if I will detail our plans for the write-off of old debt.
We are determined to tackle the management of debt recovery in a structured, effective way. To support this, BA introduced a new debt strategy early in 1998.
An Accounts Receivable Controller (ARC) in April 98, with responsibility for the whole process of debt, including control, management, and recovery. As a result BA has a more co-ordinated and cohesive organisation to deal with debt issues.
A new Debt Accounting and Management system to account for and assist in the prompt identification and actioning of debt is also currently being developed. It will provide an automated, cost-effective capability to obtain control of debt, and improved Debt management information to enable detailed root cause analysis of debt. The result will be to minimise the causes of debt and maximise recoveries.
The number of overpayment cases awaiting calculation is now under control and is expected to fall to a number equivalent to one month's intake of work by March 1999. A package of administrative easements agreed with Treasury have played a significant part in assisting BA reduce stocks of arrears of outstanding overpayments whilst ensuring recovery was actively pursued where possible.
There is no longer a need to write-off old recoverable debts under the easements package, although debts may be written off under the criteria laid out in current instructions; these are
debts over £25 less than £100 abandoned 6 years after last effective recovery;
debts between £100 and £300, abandoned after 10 years;
debts over £300 abandoned after 20 years;
debts under £25
I hope you find this reply helpful.
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