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Volunteers
Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will mark next year's International Year of Volunteers by spending a day working as a volunteer. [137425]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 13 November 2000]: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 13 November 2000, Official Report, column 531W.
Military Medical Staff (Negligence)
Mr. Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions in each year since 1990 his Department received complaints from service personnel or their families of medical negligence by military medical staff, stating in each case (a) whether the complaint was upheld by his Department in the first instance, (b) whether the complaint was upheld after recourse to legal proceedings and (c) how much compensation was paid; and if he will make a statement. [138289]
Dr. Moonie: A central record of complaints from service personnel and their families alleging medical negligence is kept only of those cases where compensation is being sought. However, prior to 1996-97 such claims were not recorded separately from other common law claims for compensation. The vast majority of the claims detailed in the table have been the subject of legal proceedings, but this does not necessarily mean that they were all heard in court. The majority of claims are settled amicably on a legal liability basis without recourse to the courts. The payment of compensation does not necessarily occur in the financial year that the claim was received.
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| 1996-97 | 1997-98 | 1998-99 | 1999-2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of medical negligence claims received | 243 | 308 | 255 | 147 |
| Number of medical negligence claims for which compensation was paid | 58 | 58 | 112 | 79 |
| Compensation paid (£) | 2,766,821 | 3,545,060 | 9,816,803 | 9,688,420 |
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Complaints procedures are available to service personnel and their families wishing to complain of medical negligence by military medical personnel. My Department aims to deal with any such complaints in a fair and timely manner.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the United Kingdom version of the Eurofighter Typhoon will not be armed with a cannon. [137926]
Mr. Hoon: The improved minimum range of capability of Eurofighter's Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile over previous such missiles, together with the pattern of operations over the last decade, mean that the
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gun now has only a minimal operational utility, and this is outweighed by its support, fatigue and training cost implications.
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his policy is concerning a ground attack role for Eurofighter Typhoon. [137905]
Mr. Hoon: Eurofighter will be a multi-role aircraft, able to carry both air-to-air and air-to-ground weaponry. Its priority role, however, remains air-to-air. With Tornado GR4 and Harriers continuing in-service for many years, there is less immediate need to arm Eurofighter for its air-to-ground role at its entry into service. Existing plans progressively to enhance Eurofighter's capability in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles, from its entry into service onwards, remain unchanged.
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Former Prisoners of War (Compensation)
Dr. Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about compensation payments to former British servicemen and women who were held in Nazi concentration camps during the Second World War. [138158]
Dr. Moonie: In 1964 the German Government agreed a £1 million settlement to compensate British victims of Nazi persecution. All those, including British service personnel, who were held in Nazi concentration camps were eligible under this scheme.
RAF Leeming
Mr. Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many deaths of personnel at RAF Leeming occurred in the past three months; how many aircraft based there crashed; and if he will make a statement. [138325]
Mr. Spellar: Three personnel based at RAF Leeming have died in the last three months. In the same period, one aircraft based at RAF Leeming has crashed. The aircrew ejected safely.
Hospital Ships
Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an order for new hospital ships. [138240]
Dr. Moonie [holding answer 13 November 2000]: We have no plans to procure hospital ships, which are subject to restrictions under the Geneva Convention that limit their utility. We are continuing, however, to define the requirement for a new Primary Casualty Receiving Capability, to enhance afloat medical support. A number of procurement options are under consideration, and the timing of an order will be determined by the chosen option.
Air Sea Rescue
Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what studies his Department is involved in of the future role of the Army and Navy in the provision of air sea rescue services around the British Isles; and if he will make a statement. [138331]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 November 2000]: There are no studies in progress which are looking at the future role of the Army and Royal Navy in the provision of air sea rescue services around the British Isles.
Mr. Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the relative effectiveness of the different types of helicopters used in air sea rescue around the British Isles. [138330]
Mr. Spellar [holding answer 14 November 2000]: I can only comment upon the military Search and Rescue helicopters operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, as the responsibility for civil SAR rests with other Government Departments.
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The military SAR force operates an all Sea King fleet within the British Isles and these aircraft are highly effective in carrying out this role.
HEALTH
Mental Health Act 1983
Dr. Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 July 2000, Official Report, column 73W, when he will make an announcement on his proposals for reform of the Mental Health Act 1983; and if at or before that time hon. Members will have access to his Department's summary of responses to the Green Paper. [135669]
Mr. Hutton: In my reply to my hon. Friend of 28 July 2000, Official Report, column 987W, I stated that we will set out our plans for reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 in a White Paper to be published before Christmas.
We are today publishing the Department's summary of responses to the Green Paper, "Reform of the Mental Health Act 1983 Proposals for Consultation". A copy of the summary is being sent to hon. Members and, where authors have agreed, copies of their responses to the Green Paper have been placed in the Library.
NDPBs (Scotland)
Mr. Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the non-departmental public bodies responsible to him which have duties relating to Scotland, indicating their budget and staffing in Scotland, the number of Scottish board members and their emoluments. [137688]
Ms Stuart: The following non-departmental public bodies, sponsored by the Department, have a remit which covers Great Britain or the United Kingdom.
- Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee
Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
British Pharmacopoeia Commission
Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work
Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment
Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
Genetics and Insurance Committee
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
Human Genetics Commission
Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation
National Biological Standards Board (UK)
National Radiological Protection Board
Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health
The Medical Workforce Standing Advisory Committee
UK Advisory Panel of Health Care Workers Infected with Bloodborne Viruses
- UK Tissue Banking Group
United Kingdom Xenotransplantation Interim Regulatory Authority.
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2000" is due to be published next month. Information on board membership and remuneration can also be downloaded from the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Directory website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk).
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