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Cancelled Operations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many routine operations were cancelled by each hospital trust in the week of star rating assessments at the end of March. [116470]

Mr. Hutton [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Data are collected quarterly on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons in two categories. There are operations cancelled at the last minute, that is on the day patients are due to arrive or after arrival in hospital or on the day of their operation, and (in 2002–03 only) operations cancelled on the day of surgery.

Cancelled operations data at England level and by national health service trust and strategic health authority level are available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data requests.htm. Data for the quarter corresponding to March 2003 are not yet available.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS operations were cancelled in (a) March and (b) February 2003. [116876]

Mr. Hutton [holding answer 3 June 2003]: Data are collected quarterly on the number of operations cancelled by the hospital for non-clinical reasons in two categories. There are operations cancelled at the last minute, that is on the day patients are due to arrive or

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after arrival in hospital or on the day of their operation, and (in 2002–03 only) operations cancelled on the day of surgery.

Cancelled operations data at England level and by national health service trust and strategic health authority level are available in the Library and on the Department's website at: www.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data requests.htm

Data for the quarter corresponding to February and March 2003 are not yet available.

Cardiac Services

Mr. Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are being taken to assist NHS trusts and PCTs in making available latest innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of sudden cardiac death. [118522]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department's National Screening Committee will be reconsidering whether, in the light of recent research, to recommend screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common condition causing sudden adult death syndrome) later this year.

Chemical Attacks (Preparations)

Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on conclusions drawn by NHS trusts from exercises in response to a chemical, biological or radiological incident since 11 September 2001. [104161]

Mr. Hutton: All national health service trusts have major incident plans in place and there are regular exercises to test these plans. Chemical, biological radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents are now considered at every planning meeting between Health Emergency Planning Advisers (HEPAs) and NHS trusts and are a significant focus of all NHS emergency planning development.

The emergency response division of the HPA has introduced a system to record centrally all exercises undertaken in the NHS and will be disseminating lessons learned. NHS trusts have, since 11 September 2001, been provided with greater amounts of improved personal protective equipment (PPE) and decontamination equipment. Training for dealing with CBRN incidents is also being urgently rolled out. NHS trusts have been working with local HEPAs to assess their capability to respond to CBRN incidents and lessons learned from these assessments are being implemented.

The HPA is also working with NHS trusts to improve emergency preparedness, particularly through a much expanded programme of exercises. Training needs are being identified and targeted training is being delivered. Consideration is also being given to staff turnover and the need for a programme of continuous training to be offered. Work being taken forward under the New Dimensions Project will also engage NHS trusts in a more integrated emergency response to CBRN threats together with other partner agencies.

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Chemicals

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the impact on human health of (a) wood preservative and varnishing products, (b) alkylphenols, (c) brominated flame retardants, (d) organotin compounds, (e) phthalate esters, (f) short-chain chlorinated paraffins and (g) phthalates DEHP and DBP in products; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119083]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Wood preservatives and the use of organotin compounds in antifouling products are controlled under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended). The independent Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP) most recently considered the wood preservative substance IPBC, and is awaiting responses from the industry before recommending any necessary regulatory action on the 101 products containing this substance. The most recent review of a wood preservative before that was copper/chrome/arsenic in November 2000, and the ACP recommended that approvals for the 32 products containing this could continue, subject to certain conditions. The organotin compounds, tributyltin oxide and tributyltin naphthenate, have previously been considered by the ACP. Information on assessments by the ACP are published on the following website: http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/committees/acp/acp.htm

Advice on the safe use of pesticide products is given on product labels.

The majority of the other substances or groups of substances have been the subject of comprehensive risk assessment under the European Union Existing Substances Regulation (ESR). This has included nonylphenol (an alkylphenol), several brominated fire retardants, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and a number of phthalate esters, including DEHP and DBP.

For some, the United Kingdom competent authority, the Health and Safety Executive and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, acting jointly, have produced the risk assessment on behalf of all EU member states. Assessments that have been agreed by member states are publicly available on the website of the European Chemicals Bureau at: http://ecb.jrc.it/existinq-chemicals/

No advice has been given by the Department to the public relating to the use of these compounds.

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact on human health of (a) paints containing a high amount of volatile solvents and (b) adhesives and sealants marketed for use in the home; what advice has been given to the public relating to their use; and if he will make a statement. [119086]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department's Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) considered the health effects of exposures to volatile organic compounds in the home in 1997. This applied to volatile organic compounds from a variety of sources. COMEAP's conclusions are published on its website at: www.doh.gov.uk/comeap/pdfs/comeap9798.pdf

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The Government commissioned the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health to produce a leaflet to assist environmental health officers in giving advice to members of the public. This leaflet is available at: www.le.ac.uk/ieh/pdf/vocslflt.pdf

Food Standards

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which companies were found by the Food Standards Agency to be selling salami containing horse and donkey meat, which was not identified on the label. [118553]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The pilot survey, which was funded by the Food Standards Agency and carried out by five trading standards departments, found that three products contained undeclared horse meat. Two products, a peppered salami and Cervalat salami, were of the brand L'Artibon and these were purchased from Safeway in Durham. The third sample was labelled as a wild boar salami, manufactured by Bernadi Gastone of Pisa, Italy and sold by Alvini North, a wholesaler in Leeds.

Mr. Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to prosecute retailers that are selling salami that contains horse and donkey meat where the meat is not identified on the label. [118557]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Local authorities are responsible for enforcement of food law. The three samples of salamis found positive for horse DNA in the pilot survey funded by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) were the subject of further investigation by two local authorities. Formal samples of a different batch of product were taken at a later date, but were subsequently found to be negative for horse DNA and no further action is possible on these samples. The FSA is carrying out a larger, nation wide survey on salami and salami-type products to determine the extent of this problem. If further unidentified horse meat is detected, local authorities will be encouraged to take formal action.

Food Supplements

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methodology was used in setting the upper limit for intake of vitamin B6 supplements at 10 mg. [119130]

Miss Melanie Johnson: Details on the methodology used are contained in the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals' (EVM) report, a copy of which is available in the Library. The EVM reviewed over 200 pieces of information on vitamin B6 from both animal and human studies. The available human data were considered inadequate for use in risk assessment. The EVM concluded that, based on the most appropriate animal data, 10 mg per day represents a clear safe upper level, with no adverse effects being anticipated over a lifetime's exposure. This reinforces existing Government advice, which has not changed.

Mr. Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consultation took place between Food Standards Agency scientists and (a) the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and (b) other bodies with specialist

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knowledge of vitamin supplements on the decision to reduce the limit for intake of B6 supplements to 10 mg. [119131]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Institute for Optimum Nutrition and other bodies had the opportunity to provide views and evidence on vitamin B6 and other vitamins and minerals during the Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals' (EVM) deliberations. The draft EVM report was issued for a 12-week public consultation. Over 100 replies to the consultation were received, including a detailed response from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, which were considered by the EVM in finalising its report.

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