Previous Section Index Home Page


30 Jan 2003 : Column 1006W—continued

Private Pension Annuities

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received about allowing people with an occupational pension as well as a private pension not to have to purchase an annuity for their private pension; and if he will make a statement. [94051]

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.

I am not aware of any such representations.

On 17 December 2002, the Government published, for consultation, simplification proposals for the pensions tax rules. The consultation paper, "Simplifying the Taxation of Pensions: Increasing Choice and Flexibility", is available in the House of Commons Library. The consultation is to allow people the opportunity to put forward their views before final decisions are taken.

30 Jan 2003 : Column 1007W

HEALTH

Ambulance Service (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many fully operational ambulances were stationed at each of the ambulance stations in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997. [92904]

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.

Ambulance cover in the East Riding 1997–2002

StationNumber of vehiclesDay coverNight cover
Withernsea11 crew1 crew
Hornsea11 crew1 crew
Bridlington33 crews1 crew
Driffield11 crew1 crew
Pocklington22 crews1 crew
Brough22 crews1 crew
Beverley22 crews1 crew
Goole33 crews2 crews
Total number of vehicles15

Source:

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust.


David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by postcode area in Haltemprice and Howden the response times for ambulances reacting to (a) Category A and (b) Category B calls, excluding the response times of first responder vehicles, in the last 12 months for which figures are available. [92905]

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Population Statistics (East Riding)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate how many children whose third birthday fell between 1 September 2002 and 31 December 2002 migrated into the East Riding of Yorkshire authority in each month since 1 April 2001. [93840]

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.

30 Jan 2003 : Column 1008W

Letter from L. Cook to Mr. David Davis, dated 30 January 2003:





Migrant moves of children born between 1 September and 31 December, 1999 into the East Riding Health Authority—moves taking place by month since 1st April, 2001
numbers

YearMonthNumber of Migrants
2001April8
May11
June9
July8
August18
September8
October4
November5
December8
2002January2
February4
March8
Total:93

These statistics are subject to revision in light of the 2001 Census results.


Correspondence

Mr. Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 11 December 2002 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. and Mrs. A Wild; [92525]

Mr. Milburn: A reply was sent to the right hon. Member on 29 January 2003.

CT Scanner (Blackpool)

Mr. Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the steps that need to be taken before an additional CT scanner can be installed at the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. [93374]

Jacqui Smith: Before any computed tomography (CT) scanner can be installed in the national health service, European Union legislation requires that a

30 Jan 2003 : Column 1009W

formal procurement process must be undertaken. This consists of an advert in the Official Journal of the European Community, followed by an evaluation of interested suppliers and an invitation to offer via tender. Once contracts have been signed, the successful supplier will agree a suitable delivery date with the NHS trust concerned.

Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre NHS trust has made a bid for central funding from the Department of Health to allow the capital purchase of an additional CT scanner, as part of the NHS Cancer Plan programme. The final stages of a consultation process with strategic health authorities, cancer networks and local commissioners will shortly confirm whether the trust has been successful in securing such funding.

Dental Services (East Lincolnshire)

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices are taking on new NHS patients in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes, (b) Grimsby, (c) Scunthorpe, (d) Brigg and Goole, (e) Hull West and Hessle, (f) Hull East, (g) Hull North, (h) Haltemprice and Howden, (i) Gainsborough and (j) Louth and Horncastle. [93311]

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the table.

ConstituencyPractices accepting new patients
Cleethorpes8
Grimsby7
Scunthorpe7
Brigg and Goole4
Hull West and Hessle9
Hull East5
Hull North4
Haltemprice and Howden3
Gainsborough3
Louth and Horncastle4

Notes:

1. General Dental Service: dental practices accepting new patients, November 2002.

2. These numbers are estimated using information from expenditure claims made to the Dental Practice Board (DPB).


Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have retired in the past year in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes and (b) Grimsby. [93312]

Jacqui Smith: No dentists from the constituencies of Cleethorpes and Grimsby retired during 2002.


Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many new dental practices taking NHS patients have opened in the constituencies of (a) Cleethorpes and (b) Grimsby since 1 January 2002. [93313]

Jacqui Smith: Since 1 January 2002, no new dental practices have opened in the Cleethorpes or Grimsby constituencies.

30 Jan 2003 : Column 1010W

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust about the provision of NHS dental treatment in (a) Grimsby and (b) Cleethorpes constituencies. [93340]

Jacqui Smith: Responsibility for National Health Service dental care in Grimsby and Cleethorpes is the responsibility of North East Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust. The consultant in dental public health at the North East Primary Care Trust has been discussing access to NHS dentistry in North East Lincolnshire with officials at the Department of Health.

Public Health Laboratory Service

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reference to 'key staff meltdown', experienced in PHLS in the report to the Steering Group of the HPA. [90056]

Ms Blears: Records of staff turnover are not held centrally. However, information from each of the component organisations indicate that there have been no dramatic increases in the overall number of staff resignations.

The Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) has indicated that there are above average resignations in a small number of management posts, potentially directly affected by the proposed changes. The Department will be working with the PHLS board to address any business continuity issues that may arise as a consequence.


Next Section Index Home Page