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4 Jul 2003 : Column 525W—continued

PRIME MINISTER

BP-TNK

Mr. Flight: To ask the Prime Minister whether he sought advice concerning the signing ceremony of the joint venture between BP and the Russian oil company TNK; on what basis he has included the signing ceremony in the schedule of events during President Putin's state visit; and what representations he received from BP relating to the signing ceremony. [121940]

The Prime Minister: A state visit aims to strengthen the relationship between nations. President Putin and I welcomed the opportunity on 26 June to recognise the importance of the energy sector to our relationship by opening a major joint event "Russia-UK Energy: Long Term Partners".

Such occasions provide opportunities to mark significant commercial developments, to the benefit of UK companies and to the benefit of the nation. Following advice from the Department of Trade and Industry, and with the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, I agreed that President Putin and I should be present at the signing of an agreement

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between BP and Alfa Group and Access-Renova (AAR) in the margins of the conference. My office discussed the practical arrangements with the two main sponsors of the event, Shell and BP.

Children's Endowment Fund

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Prime Minister which Government department will have responsibility for administering the recently announced Children's Endowment Fund. [122129]

The Prime Minister: I understand that my hon. Friend is referring to the Child Trust Fund. The Inland Revenue will administer the Child Trust Fund.

EU Fraud

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations the Government have received from staff seconded to the European Communities with respect to instances of (a) fraud and (b) irregular activities within the institutions; what action he has taken in response; and if he will make a statement. [123045]

Mr. MacShane: I have been asked to reply.

Since 2000, the UK Government have had a representation from one individual seconded to the EU Institutions. We recommended that they take their information to the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and/or the appropriate police authorities, since these are the bodies which have responsibility in this area. The UK has no remit to investigate allegations of fraud or other corruption within the institutions of the European Union.

Systems are in place for EU officials to submit evidence where they see wrongdoing. The UK has also supported Commission Vice-President Neil Kinnock's wide-ranging reforms to improve accountability and transparency within the EU Institutions. These include a Whistleblower's Charter; revised staff regulations; and the new Financial Regulation which radically reforms the accounting framework and systems.

HEALTH

Allergies

Dr. Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the prevalence of allergies was in the last 10 years; how many specialist allergy clinics there are; what research he has done to ascertain the reasons for the changing prevalence of allergies; what plans he has to increase the number of specialist allergy clinics; and if he will make more training places available for allergy specialists. [122632]

Dr. Ladyman: The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) estimate in their report into allergies published on 25 June, that at least 15 per cent. of the population is affected by some form of allergy. Additionally, the following table shows the number of prescription items for the treatment of allergies dispensed in the community in England between 1991–2002.

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Number of prescription items for treatment of allergies dispensed in the community in England, 1991 to 2002(000s)

BNF sections	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995
3.4.1 Antihistamines	5,641.0	6,116.7	6,048.8	6,184.3	6,180.5
3.4.3 Allergic emergencies	10.6	12.9	15.5	28.0	38.0
12.2.1 Drugs used in nasal allergy	2,704.2	3,233.4	3,543.3	3,748.0	3,770.7
Grand Total	8,355.8	9,363.0	9,607.6	9,960.4	9,989.2

(000s)

BNF sections	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
3.4.1 Antihistamines	6,125.9	6,172.4	6,616.3	7,086.0	7,407.1
3.4.3 Allergic emergencies	46.0	51.0	59.4	64.5	74.8
12.2.1 Drugs used in nasal allergy	3,872.6	3,905.0	4,104.7	4,226.7	4,221.8
Grand total	10,044.4	10,128.4	10,780.4	11,374.2	11,703.7

(000s)

BNF sections	2001	2002
3.4.1 Antihistamines	7,952.2	8,356.6
3.4.3 Allergic emergencies	79.2	103.3
1 2.2.1 Drugs used in nasal allergy	4,320.7	4,433.9
Grand total	12,352.1	12,893.8

The British Allergy Foundation's (BAF) report refers to the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI)'s 2001 handbook of national health service allergy clinics, which lists 86 NHS consultant led clinics in the United Kingdom as well as two nurse led services run by BSCAI members. There were an additional 15 clinics run by NHS consultants identified by BAF in the handbook. Six of these 101 clinics offered services led by a whole-time specialist allergist.

Regarding plans to increase the number of speciality clinics, it is the role of strategic health authorities, in partnership with primary care trusts, to decide what services to provide for their populations including those with allergies. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.

A range of research projects on the epidemiology of allergies are completed or on-going. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was formed in 1991. Phase One measured the prevalence of childhood asthma, hayfever and atopic eczema for international comparisons. Phase Two began in 1998 and involves more intensive studies in a smaller number of countries. The Department of Health funded the UK contribution to Phase Two.

The Food Standards Agency is currently funding a £0.5 million project which aims to establish how common food allergy is among children between birth and 15 years of age. King's College London is leading a £2.1 million EC-funded prospective study of the incidence and prognosis of allergy, allergic disease and low lung function in adults living in Europe. Also, The University of Manchester is leading a £1.2 million EC-funded investigation of the prevalence, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of sun allergy across Europe. Sun-provoked skin reactions are one of the commonest forms of allergy.

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Concerning training place availability, for 2003–04, trusts will have the opportunity to create up to five locally funded Specialist Registrars (SpR) training opportunities in allergy. Central funding will also be distributed to support the implementation of one additional SpR posts in immunology and trusts will also have the opportunity to create up to five locally funded SpR training opportunities.

Aphasia

Mr. Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that all people with aphasia receive support from a multi-disciplinary team including a neurologist, psychologist, physician, speech and language therapist, social worker and others. [123391]

Dr. Ladyman: The majority of people who acquire aphasia have had a stroke. Our major vehicle for improving standards for stroke services is through the older people's national service framework (NSF) which sets specific milestones for improvement by 2004 of stroke services in primary care trusts (PCTs), specialist services and general hospitals that care for people suffering from a stroke. Our document, Improvement, Expansion and Reform, which sets for the national health service a Priorities and Planning Framework for 2003–6, makes clear that implementation of the older people's NSF is a top priority, and that the 2004 milestone around specialist stroke services is a key target.

It is the role of strategic health authorities, in partnership with PCTs, to decide what services to provide for their populations including those with aphasia.. They are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them.

Rheumatologists

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many rheumatologists there are in (a) South Sefton, (b) Southport and (c) Formby per 85,000 people. [122240]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The number of rheumatologists per 85,000 population in the South Sefton, Southport and Formby is not available.

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However, the table shows the number of hospital medical staff within the rheumatology specialty for the South Sefton, Southport and Formby areas.

Hospital medical staff within the rheumatology specialty for specified trustsNumber (headcount)

As at 30 September 2002	All staff	Of which: Consultant
Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust	11	3
Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust	2	2

Source:

Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

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