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Election Information
Mr. Woolas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to publish election information material in large print for partially-sighted people. [89374]
Mr. George Howarth: The Government recognise the importance of ensuring that visually impaired voters receive accessible information. We are currently reviewing our guidance on access by disabled people to electoral services following a recommendation in last year's interim report of the Working Party on Electoral Matters, which I am chairing, and will of course continue to keep under review the size of print in which future election material is produced.
Young Offenders
Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the level of re-offending among those young offenders who are released on bail. [89363]
Mr. George Howarth: Home Office research in 1997 found that 38 per cent. of juveniles bailed by the police or courts committed offences while on bail. The relevant report is in the Library: Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate Research Findings No 72, "Offending on bail and police use of conditional bail 1998".
The Government have since made up to £35 million available to the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales for bail support and supervision schemes and other remand-related initiatives. Together with the Board and local youth justice services, they are also taking steps to speed up the operation of the youth justice system, which would reduce time spent on bail.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Mr. Gordon Prentice:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what selection criteria are used
6 Jul 1999 : Column: 488
in determining the appointment of the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. [89561]
Mr. Straw:
An advertisement inviting applications for the post of Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis was placed in the Police Review on 4 and 11 June. The advert invited applications from serving chief constables, equivalent police ranks and above.
Shortlisting and interviews will be conducted in July by a panel chaired by my Permanent Secretary, David Omand and three members: Sir John Quinton, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Committee, Sir Roger Hurn, Chairman of GEC and Sylvia Denman CBE, Chair of Camden and Islington Health Authority.
The selection criteria for the new Commissioner will be based on the competency framework which was developed for the selection of chief officers of police in England and Wales using accepted techniques of job analysis. The competencies sought will include: judgment, self confidence, strategic perspective, achievement focus, communication, effective action on diversity, building teams and influencing others, building upon the professional experience of policing that the candidates will have already demonstrated.
I will make the final selection based on the advice of the selection panel. I intend to announce the name of the successful candidate in August or early September this year. The successful applicant will be appointed in good time to replace the existing Commissioner who retires in January 2000. The appointment is expected to be for a term of five years.
17. Mr. McCabe:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to improve the professional qualifications of the social care workforce. [88254]
Mr. Hutton:
We are committed to improving the education and training of the social care workforce, and the Government's specific proposals were outlined in the White Paper "Modernising Social Services." We are currently considering the outcome of the second stage of a fundamental review of the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work. This review has addressed in detail the widespread concerns about the quality of training leading to professional qualifications in social work. We hope to be able to make an announcement as to the findings of this review and its implications for improving professional social work education and training later this year.
18. Mr. Martlew:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the new district general hospital in Carlisle will be completed. [88255]
Mr. Denham:
The contractual completion date is May 2000.
6 Jul 1999 : Column: 489
19. Dr. Julian Lewis:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of the choice of types of artificial limb available to NHS patients. [88256]
Mr. Hutton:
The range of limbs and components available on the NHS Supplies contract is extensive and includes virtually all the products available. Health authorities can, however, provide a product outside the range generally available if clinicians judge that there is a clinical need to do so.
20. Mr. Brake:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financial position of the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth health authority. [88257]
Mr. Denham:
Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority has an allocation for 1999-2000 of £423 million, a 6.35 per cent. cash increase over last year. The Health Authority is forecasting a small surplus this year.
21. Dr. Iddon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what improvements he proposes to make to the quality and provision of mental health services. [88258]
Mr. Hutton:
The National Service Framework, to be published shortly, will set national standards and issue clear and robust guidance that will seek to address regional variations in the provision of clinical and cost effective treatments through the publication of service standards. The Framework will focus on consistent, quality care delivered by safe, sound and supportive services.
Mr. Sawford:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many intensive care beds were available to admit new patients detained under the Mental Health Acts on 16, 17 and 18 May. [88829]
Mr. Hutton:
The Department does not collect information on the number of available beds on a daily basis. It requests data on the availability and occupancy of National Health Service beds in mental illness wards and, by way of the central return KH03, produces information on an annual basis from each NHS trust.
22. Mr. Rammell:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the increase in gross expenditure in England on personal social services in the last year. [88259]
Mr. Hutton:
The level of expenditure on personal social services is set by local authorities. Gross expenditure on personal social services in England in 1997-98 was £9,984 million, an increase of £721 million or just under 8 per cent. compared to 1996-97. Gross expenditure figures for later years are not available.
6 Jul 1999 : Column: 490
23. Ms Dari Taylor:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of current levels of health inequalities in England. [88260]
Ms Jowell:
Reducing health inequalities is one of the main aims of our health strategy and a shared national priority for health and social services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State appointed Sir Donald Acheson to lead an independent inquiry into inequalities in health which, among other things, reviewed the latest available information and summarised the evidence of inequalities. Sir Donald's report, published last November, has assisted the development of our health strategy which we shall be publishing as a White Paper, together with a report on action being taken across Government to reduce inequalities in health.
24. Mrs. Virginia Bottomley:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the level of the NHS Modernisation Fund in the past year; and how much of the outgoings has been spent on waiting lists, capital investment, education, staff training, primary care and mental health. [88261]
Mr. Denham:
This is the first year of the Modernisation Fund. It has been earmarked for modernising and developing the National Health Service.
Over £1.2 billion has been allocated in 1999-2000. This includes:
25. Mr. Burgon:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what period of consultation he proposes on the draft Tobacco (Prohibition of Advertising and Promotion) Regulations. [88263]
Ms Jowell:
There will be eight weeks of public consultation on the draft regulations and accompanying draft Regulatory Impact Assessment. The consultation paper was published on 17 June and consultation will end on 13 August.
£320 million to help tackle waiting in the NHS;
£170 million for capital investment, including £100 million from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund;
£120 million to expand education and training opportunities for doctors and nurses;
£320 million for Primary Care, including £54 million for the establishment of NHS Direct; and
£50 million for mental health services.
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