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Waiting Times
Mr. Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time from GP referral is for (a) hearing aids, (b) bath rails and (c) artificial limbs (i) in Blackpool Community Health Services NHS Trust, (ii) in North-West Lancashire Health Authority and (iii) nationally. [117831]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 6 April 2000]: Data are not available nationally on the specific areas requested. However, Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Community Health Services National Health Service Trust and North-West Lancashire Health Authority (NWLHA) have provided the following information:
- (a) the average waiting time in NWLHA for hearing aids is 11.5 weeks;
- (b) the average waiting time for bath rails is 19.5 weeks;
- (c) the average waiting time for artificial limbs is four weeks.
Nits
Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent (a) guidelines to local education authorities and (b) advice to parents his Department has issued about the control of nits. [117965]
Yvette Cooper [holding answer 6 April 2000]: A new leaflet on the prevention and treatment of nits (head lice) has been launched, copies of which are widely available to parents through primary health care teams. Guidance is also available to local education authorities by accessing the "Wired for Health" website. The teachers' magazine "Spectrum", which circulates within education authorities and schools, recently featured guidance on head lice control and the new leaflet.
Surrey and Sussex NHS Trust
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussion he had with (a) representatives of Surrey and Sussex NHS trust, (b) East Surrey health authority and (c) other parties prior to the announcement that the Chief Executive of Surrey and Sussex NHS trust was leaving; and if he will make a statement. [118256]
Ms Stuart: The resignation of the chief executive is a matter for the Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust Board.
The regional office of the National Health Service Executive will provide support to the trust until a new appointment has been made.
NHS Staff (East Surrey)
Mr. Peter Ainsworth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on current levels of (a) nursing and (b) cleaning staff at East Surrey hospital. [118255]
7 Apr 2000 : Column: 619W
Ms Stuart:
The latest available levels of nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff at Surrey and Sussex National Health Service Trust is given in the table.
| Whole time equivalent | Numbers (headcount) | |
|---|---|---|
| All Nursing, Midwifery and Health visiting staff | 1,240 | 1,670 |
Notes:
1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10
2. Figures exclude learners and agency staff
Source:
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census
The East Surrey health authority is responsible for ensuring that the quality of care for those being treated at East Surrey hospital is satisfactory. The Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust is looking at ways of improving the recruitment and retention of nursing staff in line with national recruitment and retention strategy.
The number of whole time equivalent ancillary staff (which covers cleaning staff) is 269. The number of vacancies at March 2000 was 30.
New guidelines to ensure cleanliness on hospital wards--"Standards for Environmental Cleanliness in Hospitals"--will be issued to all National Health Service trusts shortly which complement the new framework for managing hospital acquired infection. The progress of NHS hospitals at meeting the new framework will be independently assessed locally by auditors, and nationally by the Commission for Health Improvement and the Audit Commission.
Mr. Field:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will give a substantive answer to the question from the right hon. Member for Birkenhead on the birth weight of babies, tabled on 12 January (Ref. 105430). [118230]
Yvette Cooper:
I replied to my right hon. Friend on 5 April.
Mrs. Shephard:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to meet representatives of the Dispensing Doctors' Association and the Pharmaceutical Society to discuss dispensing arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [117861]
Ms Stuart:
The bodies which represent pharmacies and dispensing doctors on National Health Service matters are the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee. My noble Friend Lord Hunt of King's Health met representatives of both bodies on 21 December 1999 to discuss dispensing arrangements in rural areas.
7 Apr 2000 : Column: 620W
Mr. Austin:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list those arms and items of military equipment which were approved for export to Uganda and Zimbabwe in each of the years 1998-99 and 1999-2000. [117983]
Dr. Howells
[holding answer 6 April 2000]: Details of export licensing decisions between 1 January and 31 December 1998 were set out in the Government's Annual Report on Strategic Export Controls published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in November 1999; copies are in the Library of the House.
| Rating | Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating |
|---|---|
| ML2 | 1 |
| ML3 | 1 |
| ML6 | 1 |
| PL5031 | 1 |
| Rating | Number of SIELs issued covering goods with this rating | Number of OIELs issued covering goods with this rating |
|---|---|---|
| ML1 | 5 | 1 |
| ML2 | 6 | 1 |
| ML3 | 1 | 0 |
| ML5 | 0 | 1 |
| ML6 | 2 | 1 |
| ML10 | 7 | 0 |
| ML11 | 0 | 2 |
| PL5002 | 0 | 1 |
| PL5018 | 1 | 2 |
The seven SIELs covering goods with the rating ML10 were issued on 24 February 2000 for the export of Hawk spares, as noted in the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Hain) to my hon. Friend the Member for
7 Apr 2000 : Column: 621W
Bethnal Green and Bow (Ms King) on 21 February 2000, Official Report, column 718W. These decisions were taken in line with the policy set out in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Richmond Park (Dr. Tonge) on 9 February 2000, Official Report, columns 184-85W.
This information does not cover any Media OIELs that may have been issued during this period. Media OIELs authorise the export to all destinations of protective clothing, mainly for the protection of aid agency workers and journalists, when working in areas of conflict.This information should be considered in light of the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Kingswood (Mr. Berry) on 27 July 1999, Official Report, columns 307-08.
In addition, Uganda and Zimbabwe are permitted destinations on certain Open General Export Licences covering the export of goods on the Military List; copies of all Open General Export Licences are routinely placed in the Library of the House.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what rate of return the Government expects to receive on the proposed loan to BAe Systems to develop the A3XX super jumbo jet, including the (a) applicable royalty rate and (b) interest rate; [118263]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
The detailed terms of the launch investment provided to BAe Systems for the A3XX are commercially confidential.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information was supplied to the United States Government under the 1992 Civil Aircraft Agreement in respect of the £530 million proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118262]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
We have provided to the European Commission all the information required by the 1992 Agreement. It is for the Commission to transmit this to the United States Government.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the Government's launch aid criteria for the proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118258]
Mr. Alan Johnson:
Any applicant for launch investment must demonstrate that the project is technically and commercially viable; that Government investment is essential for the project to proceed in the UK on the scale and in the timescale specified in the application; and that the Government will recoup the investment with a fair share of reward for the risks they have borne. The applicant also has to prove that the investment will bring a significant strategic benefit to the UK that would not otherwise be available.
(2) if he will provide the repayment schedule of the proposed loan to BAe Systems. [118261]
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