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Fuel Duty
Mr. Loughton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) on what basis he has increased his estimates for carbon emissions savings due to increases in fuel duties between 1996 and 2010, as set out in the pre-Budget Report; [99185]
- (2) if his revised figure for carbon emission savings due to fuel duty increases between 1996 and 2010, set out in the pre-Budget report, takes into account ending the automatic fuel escalator; and from what year. [99186]
Mr. Timms [holding answer 22 November 1999]: The Chancellor made clear in the pre-Budget Report that the appropriate level of fuel duties will now be decided on a Budget by Budget basis. Given this, the estimates of carbon savings in the PBR do not assume real terms rises in fuel duties from Budget 2000 onwards.
Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure he plans to make from revenues hypothecated from increases in fuel duty in each of the next three years. [99317]
Mr. Timms: In his Pre-Budget Report, the Chancellor announced that in future he would decide the appropriate level of road fuel duties on a Budget by Budget basis, taking account of the Government's economic and social objectives as well as the UK's environmental commitments.
The Chancellor also announced that the revenues from any future real terms increases in road fuel duties would go straight to a ring-fenced fund for improving public transport and modernising the road network.
The amounts involved will be announced in each year's budget in the normal way.
Mr. Loughton:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received regarding the future charging structure of stamp duty on securities; [R] [99181]
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 90W
Miss Melanie Johnson
[holding answers 22 November 1999]: A number of representations about stamp duty on share transactions have been received. It would be inappropriate to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget Statement.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the present surplus on the National Insurance Fund; and what plans he has to deploy this. [99135]
Dawn Primarolo:
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 11 November 1999, Official Report, column 772-73W.
There are no plans to deploy the surplus.
Mr. Paterson:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the net and gross contributions to the European Union of 1998 by each member state; and what is the source of these figures. [99318]
Miss Melanie Johnson:
Information on Member States' contributions and receipts is published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in its annual report. The ECA annual report on 1998 was published on Tuesday 16 November 1999 and a copy will be available in the Library shortly.
Beta Interferon
13. Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to publish his new circular on the prescribing of beta interferon. [98938]
Mr. Denham: Ministers are currently considering all comments received during the consultation on a draft Health Circular on the prescribing of beta-interferon.
Breast Screening
14. Ms Perham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the findings of the pilot projects assessing the impact of extending routine breast screening to women aged 65 to 69 years will be published. [98939]
Yvette Cooper: There are three pilot projects on automatic recall of women aged 65 to 69 for breast cancer screening. The last of the pilots is due to end in summer 2000. We have asked the National Screening Committee to consider this matter and to advise us on the issue of extending automatic recall on the basis of those pilot studies. Obviously, before any changes are introduced we must of course make sure that changes are safe and effective and that the high quality standards of the breast screening programme can be maintained.
Elderly General Practice Patients
15. Dr. Starkey:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extra capitation to general practitioners for elderly patients. [98940]
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 91W
Mr. Denham:
A general practitioner is entitled to a capitation fee for every patient on his or her list. The fee for a patient aged 65-74 is higher than that for one aged under 65. The fee for a patient aged 75 and over is two and a half times higher than for a patient aged under 65. These levels are a matter for the independent Pay Review Body, taking account of evidence from the profession and the Health Departments.
18. Mr. Miller:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to reduce inconsistency in the standards of social services departments. [98943]
Mr. Hutton:
We are taking a range of measures to drive up standards in social services. There will be a new independent regulation system for care homes, children's homes and other care services including those directly provided by local authorities, based on national standards. The Fair Access to Care initiative will require local authorities to apply eligibility criteria consistently around the country. Our proposed Quality Strategy for Social Services will help raise local standards.
The implementation of these initiatives will be monitored closely. For the first time there is a comprehensive performance assessment system for social services, built around the Best Value regime.
19. Mr. Kidney:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to continue the investing in dentistry initiative in future financial years. [98944]
Mr. Hutton:
The Investing in Dentistry and Personal Dental Service initiatives have made a good start in tackling the worst local problems of access to NHS dentistry which we inherited. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made clear, this Government are determined to make NHS dentistry a truly national service again, and to make sure that, within two years, anyone who wants to see an NHS dentist can do so. In the new year we will publish our plans for building on the success of IID to achieve that, as part of a wide-ranging strategy for dentistry in England.
20. Mr. Jack:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the revenue funding his Department will make available to run the proposed new kidney dialysis facilities proposed for the Royal Preston hospital. [98945]
Mr. Hutton:
A scheme to provide 15 additional dialysis stations has been prioritised by the four health authorities covering Lancashire and South Cumbria and is proceeding well. The four authorities are committed to meeting the revenue costs from their respective general allocations. Health authority allocations for 2000-01 will be announced shortly but, in 1999-2000, the four have already received a total of £1,063 million, which represents a significant increase of £61.5 million or 6.15 per cent. over 1998-99.
23 Nov 1999 : Column: 92W
21. Mr. Corbyn:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to improve the quality of health care in Camden and Islington. [98946]
Mr. Denham:
The Camden and Islington Health Action Zone will aim to tackle the root causes of ill health by addressing early life experience, social isolation and addiction. It will also work to improve services for key client groups such as older people and people with mental health needs. So far almost £8 million has been made available to Camden and Islington HAZ.
My hon. Friend the Minister of State recently visited The New River Green Family Project (part of Camden and Islington HAZ), which is seen as a pilot project for the development of community based family support work within a defined geographical area. It will provide a practical learning experience for all those involved.
22. Mr. Woolas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to establish an institute for excellence in social care. [98947]
25. Ms Kelly:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about his plans to establish an institute for excellence in social care. [98950]
Mr. Hutton:
As a measure of the importance which we attach to the delivery of high quality social services, we shall be consulting on a Quality Strategy for Social Services, including proposals for establishing an institute for excellence in social care, early in the New Year.
23. Mr. Campbell-Savours:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to ensure the future viability of services provided by the NHS in West Cumbria. [98948]
Mr. Hutton:
The North Cumbria Health Authority, local National Health Service Trusts and the National Health Service Executive are presently reviewing the configuration of services prior to public consultation.
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