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Afro-Caribbean Women (Health Needs)
Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of mortality rates of Afro-Caribbean women; and what plans he has for health programmes to address these womens' health needs. [68741]
Ms Jowell:
Mortality rates are available not by ethnic origin but by country of birth. Compared to the national average for women aged 20-69 years, mortality from all causes in 1989-1992 in England and Wales was higher by more than 25 per cent. for those born in West Africa
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and lower by nearly 10 per cent. for those born in the Caribbean, but not significantly different for those born in East Africa.
Last year's Green Paper "Our Healthier Nation" set out the two over-arching aims for our health strategy: to improve health and to tackle health inequality, both of which are relevant to black and minority ethnic health. In addition, the Green Paper indicated that the strategy will focus on some key national targets--all of which are themselves relevant to different ethnic communities, supported by a range of locally-set targets based on local needs. This is particularly important for ethnic health since needs are not spread uniformly across the country. Each area needs to consider and tailor its responses to local circumstances. It is here where the local Health Improvement Programmes will be crucial to both assess and target specific health needs, such as those of Afro-Caribbean women.
Dr. Kumar:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) local health authorities provide placements for people with autism in communities in their area and (b) such placements there are, broken down by local health authority; and if he will make a statement. [68550]
Mr. Hutton:
The information requested is not available. It is for the local statutory authorities to determine the needs of people with autism in their area and provide appropriate placements.
Dr. Kumar:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with representatives of health authorities about the provisions for treatment of (a) children with (i) Kannens autism and (ii) autism spectrum disorder and (b) young persons and adults with autism spectrum disorder; and if he will make a statement. [68553]
Mr. Hutton:
We have not had any discussions with representatives of health authorities. It is for the local statutory authorities to determine the needs of children with autism in their area and work together effectively to ensure that these needs are met.
Mr. Lepper:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what timetable he has set for the production of reports by the Working Group on CFS/ME and its sub-groups; [68563]
Mr. Lepper:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the terms of reference of (a) the CFS/ME Working Group and (b) its children's sub-group whose membership was announced on 4 November 1998. [68561]
Ms Jowell:
The terms of reference for the chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) working group are; to review management and practice in the field of CFS/ME with the aim of providing best practice guidance for professionals, patients and carers to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with
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CFS/ME. The children's sub-group has the same terms of reference although its primary focus will be issues specifically relating to children.
The work of the groups should be completed by the summer of 2000 and the final report published later that year. The report will be considered by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Liam Donaldson. The Working Group was established by the previous CMO, Sir Kenneth Calman and its work has been taken forward by his successor, Professor Donaldson. The final report will be made freely available.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from mobile phone communications companies on the health aspects of the use of mobile phones. [69017]
Ms Jowell:
Three mobile phone communications companies have made representations to the Department to discuss areas of common interest. In addition, Departmental officials have had discussions with the industry about possible research initiatives.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidelines his Department has issued on the potential health effects of the use of mobile phones; and what plans he has to commission further research in this area. [69016]
Ms Jowell:
The Government obtain advice from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) on the risks to health from exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those emitted by mobile phones. The NRPB's advice is that mobile phones currently used in the United Kingdom comply with their exposure guidelines (Restrictions on human exposure to static and time varying electromagnetic fields and radiation. Documents of the NRPB, 4, No 5,7-63 (1993)). Copies are available in the Library. These guidelines are intended to prevent acute adverse responses to increased heat load and elevated body temperature. The basis of these guidelines is the same as those of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection. Both organisations agree that the alleged (or potential) non-thermal effects which have occasionally been reported should not form the basis of exposure restrictions.
Research into potential effects of microwaves such as those emitted by mobile phones is being undertaken on a worldwide basis. The Department is contributing to these international initiatives and is also supporting its own research programme. Research is also carried out at the NRPB.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if a waiting list for beta-interferon treatment has been drawn up by the West Sussex Health Authority. [69182]
Mr. Maples:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health which ministers in his Department made use of (a) RAF
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and (b) chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999; and if he will list the dates, destinations and costs of such flights. [69076]
Ms Jowell:
There have been no occasions where a Department of Health Minister has used a Royal Air Force or privately chartered aircraft between 1 October 1998 and 31 January 1999.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health from whom the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority has received applications for permission to conduct clinical trials of xenotransplantation; on what date each application was received; and for what types of procedure permission is being sought. [69292]
Mr. Hutton:
To date, the United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority (UKXIRA) has received one application which complies with the requirements set out in
In addition, one applicant has been advised to re-submit an application in accordance with the requirements described in the Guidance.
Information submitted to the UKXIRA is supplied in confidence. An announcement will be made if an application is approved.
Ms Kelly:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he is making to abolish GP fundholding. [69658]
Mr. Denham:
Further to the oral answer I gave on 2 February 1999, Official Report, column 711, the position is as follows. The current general practitioner fundholding schemes will be brought to an end on 31 March 1999 through secondary legislation. The Health Bill makes provision for the abolition of GP fundholding. A residual fundholding scheme, to be made by regulations under current legislation, will operate from 1 April until the first practicable date after the Health Bill receives Royal Assent.
Mr. Swinney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance he has provided to chairmen of local enterprise companies in Scotland on making public statements on political issues; and if he will make a statement. [67395]
Mr. Dewar
[holding answer 26 January 1999]: None. Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise delegate extensively the exercise of their powers and functions to local enterprise companies. Their activities are governed by the terms of their contractual relationships with Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. LEC Board members are also expected to comply with the Code of Best Practice for Local Enterprise Companies Corporate Governance, which
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focuses on integrity, accountability and openness. From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
(2) by whom in his Department the reports produced by the CFS/ME Working Group and sub-groups will be considered; and what plans he has to publish them; [68562]
"Guidance on making proposals to conduct xenotransplantation on human subjects".
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