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27 Jan 2003 : Column 665W—continued
Body Piercing
Ms Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce legislation to prohibit body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent; if he will list the statutory provisions which cover the body piercing of minors. [92520]
Ms Blears: The Government have no current plans to introduce legislation to make the body piercing of minors without their parents' or guardians' consent a criminal offence, as this might lead to them piercing themselves or each other in an unsafe and unhygienic manner or to going to disreputable businesses. We keep the position under review.
There are no statutory provisions relating specifically to the cosmetic body piercing of minors. The following statutory provisions are relevant to the regulation of cosmetic body piercing businesses:
- London Local Authorities Act 2000
London Local Authorities Act 1995
London Local Authorities Act 1991
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (relates to ear piercing)
Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1981
27 Jan 2003 : Column 666W
Ms Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the need for further regulation of body piercing; what plans he has for the further regulation of body piercing; and what recent consultations the Government have had with local authorities concerning the body piercing of minors. [92521]
Ms Blears: Since January 2002, we have received a small number of representations about the regulation of body piercing businesses.
We intend to introduce primary legislation to give local authorities outside London specific powers to regulate cosmetic body piercing business, when parliamentary time allows.
We have had no recent consultations with local authorities about the cosmetic body piercing of minors.
Cancelled Operations
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cancelled operations there were at each NHS hospital in each of the past four quarters. [91480]
Mr. Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on Wednesday 15 January 2003, Official Report, at column 676W.
Child Offenders
Mr. Paul Marsden : To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children have (a) been convicted, (b) been in the care of a local authority for a year or more, (c) received a reprimand and (d) received a final warning, in each year since 1997. [85639]
Mr. Denham: I have been asked to reply.
The information requested is contained in the tables.
| Cautioned | Given final warning | Reprimanded | Found guilty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | ||||
| 1997 | 104,520 | —(35) | —(35) | 79,151 |
| 1998 | 109,725 | —(35) | —(35) | 86,506 |
| 1999 | 103,978 | —(35) | —(35) | 90,280 |
| 2000(36) | 36,764 | 42,773 | 18,004 | 91,423 |
| 2001 | —(35) | 66,538 | 31,504 | 95,530 |
(34) These data are on the principal offence basis.
(35) Not applicable.
(36) Final warnings and reprimands were implemented nationally from 1 June 2000.
27 Jan 2003 : Column 667W
| Number of children | Of which looked after for 1 year or more | |
|---|---|---|
| England | ||
| 1997 | 30,300 | 9,700 |
| 1998 | 29,000 | 9,600 |
| 1999 | 27,100 | 8,500 |
| 2000 | 26,800 | 10,100 |
| 2001 | 25,100 | 10,700 |
Source:
Department of Health
Child Organs
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to ensure that families of children whose organs were retained without their consent receive compensation on a consistent basis across the country, regardless of which hospital was involved; and if he will make a statement. [92813]
Mr. Lammy: The NHS Litigation Authority is dealing with the retained organs litigation action and negotiations are subject to a confidentiality agreement between all parties. Both the Liverpool and nationwide group actions will be dealt with on their legal merits and any settlement will reflect this principle.
Children (Mental Health Problems)
Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on his assessment of the risk factors increasing the likelihood of mental health problems in children; [91989]
- (2) if he will list for each year since 1997 the percentage of children who were diagnosed as suffering from each category of mental disorder. [91988]
Jacqui Smith : A survey of the mental health of children and adolescents in Great Britain was carried out in 1999 by the Office for National Statistics on behalf of the Department of Health, Scottish National Executive and National Assembly for Wales. Prevalence rates were produced for five to 15-year-olds in the three main categories of mental disorder; ie, conduct disorder, hyperactivity and emotional disorder.
The key findings on prevalence were that:
- about 10 per cent. of children aged five to 15 in Great Britain had a mental disorder in 1999;
5 per cent. had conduct disorders (eg aggressive and antisocial behaviour), 4 per cent. had emotional disorders (eg anxiety, depression) and 1 per cent. were hyperkinetic (inattention, over-activity);
mental disorders were significantly more common in boys than girls in both the five to 10 and the 11 to 15-year-old age groups.
- in lone parent compared with two parent families
who had a parent with a mental disorder
in families of social class V (unskilled occupations) compared with social class I (professional occupations)
in families with a gross weekly household income of less than £200 compared with £500 or more
who had a physical health complaint
who had special educational needs.
27 Jan 2003 : Column 668W
Commission for Patient and
Public Involvement in Health
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what remuneration (a) the Chairman (b) the Chief Executive and (c) each commissioner of the new Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health will receive. [92594]
Mr. Lammy: The Chair of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health receives £25,000 per annum. Each commissioner receives £5,305 per annum. The Chief Executive post was advertised at between £80,000 to £100,000 per annum.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will name those people who took part in the interview and selection process for the position of Chairman at the new Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health; and how many people applied for the position. [92597]
Mr. Lammy: The selection and interview panel consisted of Sir William Wells, chair of the national health service independent appointments commission, Sarah Mullally, chief nursing officer at the Department of Health, and Harry Cayton, chief executive of the Alzheimers Society and the director for patients' experience and public involvement at the Department of Health.
The independent assessor, supplied by the office of the commissioner for public appointments, was Cindy Butts. 52 people applied for the position.
Congestion Charge
Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from within the NHS in London about the impact of the congestion charge. [91477]
Mr. Hutton: I have received three letters from national health service professionals employed in London about the impact of the congestion charge. No representations have been received from NHS organisations.
Correspondence
Mrs. Roe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the hon. Member for Broxbourne will receive a reply to her letters of 11 September, 8 October, 7 November and 5 December, relating to her constituent, Miss P. V. Kennion; [87005]
- (2) when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Broxbourne of (a) 11 September 2002, (b) 8 October 2002, (c) 7 November 2002, (d) 5 December 2002 and (e) 7 January relating to Miss P. V. Kennion of Broxbourne, a constituent. [90222]
27 Jan 2003 : Column 669W
Mr. Lammy [holding answers 16 December 2002 and 13 January 2003]: I understand that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs sent a reply on 21 January.
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