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Departmental Publications
Mr. Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many publications were issued by his Department in each of the last four years. [11840]
Mr. Leslie: The publications issued or sponsored by the Cabinet Office between May 1997 and October 2001 are listed in the table. Because of the restructuring of the Department in May 1997, any information relating to before this date can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. This answer does not include publications which were issued in electronic form only.
| Number | |
|---|---|
| May to December 1997 | 97 |
| January to December 1998 | 127 |
| January to December 1999 | 139 |
| January to December 2000 | 177 |
| January to October 2001 | 151 |
Departmental Assets
Mr. Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what stocks of (a) antiques, (b) paintings and (c) fine wines are held by his Department; if he will list such assets sold over the last three years together with the sale proceeds from such transactions; what plans he has to sell further such assets over the period of the current Comprehensive Spending Review; and if he will make a statement. [10835]
Mr. Leslie: The National Asset Register (CM 5221, July 2001) provides full details of the departmental asset holdings across all categories of assets, including heritage assets, along with details of major acquisitions and disposals since the publication of the last register in 1997. The information published in the National Asset Register for the Cabinet Office includes No. 10 Downing street.
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HEALTH
Departmental Buildings
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the total annual running costs for buildings used, owned or rented by his Department for each nation and region of the United Kingdom, and estimate the average cost per square metre for properties used by his Department as a whole, and by region and nation of the United Kingdom. [6867]
Ms Blears: The table shows an estimate for the total running costs for financial year 2000–01 for buildings used, owned or rented by the Department and its agencies for England. It also estimates the average cost per square metre for properties used by the Department as a whole for England. It does not include any costs associated with the national health service.
| Region | Total running costs (£ million) | Average cost per square metre |
|---|---|---|
| Northern | 0.646 | 268.92 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 5.311 | 275.10 |
| North West | 2.709 | 132.19 |
| East Midlands | 0.614 | 123.42 |
| West Midlands | 0.909 | 304.99 |
| Eastern | 0.735 | 162.30 |
| South West | 1.328 | 222.80 |
| South East | 1.188 | 243.78 |
| London | 26.051 | 350.16 |
| Total | 39.491 | 282.25 |
Running costs include capital charges, rents, service charges, rates, unitary charge (as appropriate), cleaning, decoration, building maintenance, utilities (including refuse collection), security, reception and porters.The Department does not occupy any properties in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
Meningitis
Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps he has taken to reduce the incidence of meningitis B; and what further steps he plans to take in the next 12 months. [9087]
Ms Blears: As the recent success with meningitis C vaccine has demonstrated, the best way to reduce the incidence of meningococcal Group B disease is through an effective meningitis B vaccine. Unfortunately, we are some years away from having such a vaccine. Work to find a vaccine against Group B is much more difficult than for Group C, although early indicators for a Group B vaccine are encouraging. The Department is investigating Group B vaccines in collaboration with RIVM, the Dutch national vaccine manufacturer, and funds Group B vaccine dedicated work at the Centre for Applied Microbiology Research.
In the meantime, it remains essential for parents and health professionals to be aware of the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and alert to act
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quickly should they recognise any of these symptoms. Information on recognising meningococcal disease is included in all the childhood immunisation materials produced by Health Promotion England which are given to parents. Health professionals have been reminded to be alert to the expected winter rise in meningococcal cases in a letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Pharmacist issued on 15 October.
Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to deal with changes in the incidence of meningitis in the last four years. [9855]
Ms Blears: Meningitis and septicaemia can be caused by a number of viruses and bacteria. Illness caused by bacteria is the most serious and meningococcal disease is the commonest cause of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia in the United Kingdom
The incidence of meningococcal disease had been increasing in the second half of the 1990s. However, the introduction of a new vaccine against Group C meningococcal infection in November 1999 has reduced the incidence of meningococcal Group C disease by up to 90 per cent. in those age groups immunised.
The vast majority of meningococcal disease is now caused by Group B infection. The success of the meningitis C vaccine has demonstrated that the best way to reduce the incidence of Group B disease is through an effective meningitis B vaccine. Unfortunately, we are some years away from having such a vaccine. Work to find a vaccine against Group B is much more difficult than for Group C, although early indicators for a Group B vaccine are encouraging. The Department is investigating Group B vaccines in collaboration with RIVM, the Dutch national vaccine manufacturer, and funds Group B vaccine dedicated work at the Centre for Applied Microbiology Research.
Groundwater Protection
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the EC directives relating to groundwater protection and indicate in each case how compliance is (a) monitored and (b) enforced. [11382]
Mr. Meacher: I have been asked to reply.
The Groundwater Directive (80/60/EEC) is the principal EC measure for the protection of groundwater. As competent authority in England and Wales the Environment Agency has powers under the Water Resources Act 1991, the Environment Act 1995, the Groundwater Regulations 1998 and the Anti-Pollution Works Notices Regulations 1999 to enforce this directive's authorisations. The Environment Agency has also developed a strategic monitoring network to determine groundwater status.
Infant Mortality Rate (Worcester)
Mr. Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the infant mortality rate in Worcester was in each year since 1992. [10405]
Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
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Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Michael Foster, dated 6 November 2001:
- As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the infant mortality rate in Worcester in each year since 1992(10405).
- The information requested is provided in the attached table.
- The rates for Worcester county district (which are calculated from fewer than 20 deaths) may be unreliable due to the small number of events and should be treated cautiously. Any variation they show over time, or difference from National or county or health authority rates are likely to be due to chance.
| Calendar Year | Number | (18)Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 11 | 8.7 |
| 1993 | 9 | 7.1 |
| 1994 | 8 | 6.6 |
| 1995 | 13 | 10.2 |
| 1996 | 10 | 8.0 |
| 1997 | 8 | 6.1 |
| 1998 | 8 | 6.3 |
| 1999 | 10 | 7.7 |
| 2000(19) | 9 | 7.4 |
(18) Per 1,000 live births
(19) Provisional
Source:
1992–94 and 2000 unpublished
1995–99 figures are published in the National Statistics publication 'Key Population and Vital Statistics', series VS Nos 22–26
Power Lines
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made since April of international research on the health effect of living close to overhead transmission lines; and what review he plans of the health effects of pylons on human beings. [9650]
Ms Blears: The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including the extremely low frequency fields (ELF) associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
In June, on behalf of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a working group of scientific experts from 10 countries published its review on the health effects of static and extremely low frequency (ELF) electric and magnetic fields. The IARC working group concluded that ELF magnetic fields are possibly carcinogenic to humans based on a statistical association between higher level magnetic field exposure and the risk of childhood leukaemia.
This conclusion of the IARC working group is consistent with that of the NRPB Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR), which issued a report in March 2001. AGNIR stressed, however, that there was insufficient evidence to justify a firm conclusion that magnetic fields cause leukaemia in children. In responding to the advisory group report the board of NRPB considered there was a need to understand better the factors that might result in higher residential exposures to magnetic fields, noting also the recent evidence from the United Kingdom childhood cancer study that suggested the higher levels of magnetic fields are not attributable solely to proximity to power lines. The Government and NRPB are currently planning a study
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into the factors that result in certain households having higher levels of exposure to power frequency magnetic fields.
The AGNIR is also further considering the possible effects on health of corona ions generated by power lines. A first meeting to consider this issue has taken place and researchers on this topic have been invited to make presentations at future meetings. Information about the work of the advisory group is to be posted on the NRPB website www.nrpb.org.uk. A final report will be published by NRPB.
In July, the California Health Department released a draft report for public comment and this will also be considered by AGNIR.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a Government inquiry into the health effects of power frequency electric and magnetic fields. [11366]
Jacqui Smith: The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including the extremely low frequency (ELF) fields associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board of NRPB has set up an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) chaired by the eminent epidemiologist Sir Richard Doll. Members are some of the United Kingdom's leading experimental scientists and epidemiologists. The AGNIR has prepared a number of reports on the possible health effects of exposure to power frequency electric and magnetic fields. Its most recent report was published in March 2001 and provided a comprehensive summary of sources of exposure to ELF electromagnetic fields and methods of measurement as well as reviews of experimental and epidemiological (human health) studies.
AGNIR continues to monitor research on this topic.
In June, the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) based in Lyon, France, brought together an international team of experts to review the evidence for the possible carcinogenic effects of exposure to static and ELF electric and magnetic fields. It concluded that magnetic fields are "possibly carcinogenic" to humans based on a statistical association between higher level magnetic field exposure and the risk of childhood leukaemia. This conclusion is consistent with the views expressed by AGNIR.
These two reviews by teams of eminent scientists are consistent in their findings and provide the most up to date published reviews of this subject.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health risks of a (a) cancer and (b) non-cancer nature and other health consequences of electro-magnetic fields situated near to overhead power lines. [11416]
Jacqui Smith: The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB). The Board of NRPB has set up an independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) "to review work on the biological effects of non-ionising radiation relevant to human health and to advise on research priorities".
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Most of the research carried out on possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiation has concentrated on cancer risk. In March this year, the AGNIR published a report on the potential risks of cancer from exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields that includes those from power lines. The report provides a comprehensive review of experimental and epidemiological studies relevant to an assessment of the possible risk of cancer as well as information on sources of exposure and their measurement.
An assessment has been carried out by AGNIR of the potential neurodegenerative effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. A report has been prepared and publication is imminent.
The AGNIR is also further considering the possible effects on health of corona ions generated by power lines. A first meeting to consider this issue has taken place and researchers on this topic have been invited to make presentations at future meetings. A final report will be published by NRPB.
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make an assessment of the possible links between childhood leukaemia and magnetic field exposures above 0.4 mircotesla. [11187]
Jacqui Smith: The Department obtains advice on the possible health implications of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including those associated with power lines, from the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
In March this year NRPB's Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) published a review of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields and the risk of cancer, which included an assessment of the possible link between childhood leukaemia and average magnetic field exposures of 0.4 microtesla or more.
AGNIR concluded that recent large and well-conducted epidemiological studies, both in this country and overseas, have provided better evidence than was available in the past on the relationship between power frequency magnetic field exposure and the risk of cancer. Taken in conjunction, they suggest that relatively heavy average exposures of magnetic fields at 0.4 microtesla or more are associated with a doubling of the risk of leukaemia in children under 15 years of age. However, the evidence is not conclusive because of the small number of children exposed, and other features related to the design of the studies.
NRPB have noted that, if the association between magnetic fields and the risk of cancer was causal, of the 500 cases of childhood leukaemia occurring in the United Kingdom each year an additional 2 cases might result from exposure to magnetic fields at exposures above 0.4 microtesla.
AGNIR have pointed out that, in the UK, very few children (perhaps 4 in 1000) are exposed to 0.4 microtesla or more. The UK study (United Kingdom Childhood Cancer Study), with much the largest number of direct measurements of exposure, found no evidence of risk at lower levels.
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