You are here: Parliament home page > Parliamentary business > Publications and Records > Hansard > Commons Debates > Commons Debates by date > Commons Debates - previous sessions > Bound Volume Hansard - Written Answers
Previous Section Index Home Page

6 Oct 2003 : Column 1255W—continued

Vulnerable Witnesses

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has

6 Oct 2003 : Column 1256W

made of the impact of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 on the experience of vulnerable witnesses. [128648]

Paul Goggins: The Home Office has commissioned a consortium of researchers to conduct an evaluation of special measures for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses (VIWs). The aims of the research are: (1) to evaluate how well the special measures have been implemented throughout the criminal justice system (CJS); and (2) to examine the experience of VIWs before and after the implementation of special measures in Crown Courts. The latter was addressed using pre and post-implementation surveys. The pre-implementation survey was conducted in 2000 and published in 2001 (Home Office Research Findings 147). This report can be found on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/r147.pdf

The post-implementation survey was conducted in 2003 and is currently being written-up. The survey work will help determine: whether the introduction of special measures has been accompanied by an increase in VIWs' satisfaction with the CJS, to what extent provisions for VIWs have changed with the implementation of special measures; and VIWs attitudes to the special measures. Home Office Research and Development Statistics expect to publish a full report next year.

Yarlswood

Alistair Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the contracts made between his Department and all contractors relating to the (a) construction, (b) administration and operation and (c) insurance of the Yarlswood removal centre. [129680]

Beverley Hughes: The contract to design build and operate the Yarlswood Immigration Removal Centre was awarded to Group 4 Amey Immigration Ltd. (GAIL) following a competitive tender. Each contract has to be considered individually and a range of tests applied to ascertain if its disclosure would adversely affect the parties involved. At present, the contract is being amended to enable the refurbishment and revised operation of the centre. Once these amendments are finalised, I will ensure that a copy of the contract is placed in the Library in due course, provided that it meets the test above.

Youth Justice Board

Mr. Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people are employed by the Youth Justice Board; and what has been the percentage staff turnover in each of the last six years. [130477]

Paul Goggins: The Youth Justice Board currently employs 138 permanent staff. The percentage staff turnover in the five years since the Board was established, as calculated from September to September using the total staff numbers in post at the end of each 12-month period, has been 1998–99 (0 per cent.), 1999–2000 (3.7 per cent.), 2000–01 (15.5 per cent.), 2001–02 (17 per cent.) and 2002–03 (5.1 per cent.).

6 Oct 2003 : Column 1257W

HEALTH

Abortions

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on psychological services provided to women who have had abortions. [129046]

Miss Melanie Johnson: It is for primary care trusts, which commission abortion services, to consider whether psychological services should be available for women who have had an abortion. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' evidence-based guideline, "The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2000)", considered the mental health implications of termination and concluded only a small minority of women experience any long term, adverse psychological consequences after abortion and that referral for further counselling should be available for those women.

Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has assessed into possible links between abortions and breast cancer. [129047]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Department funded the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' evidence-based guideline "The Care of Women Requesting Induced Abortion (2000)". This stated that the available evidence on an association between induced abortion and breast cancer is inconclusive. Cancer Research UK is undertaking a study, which is considering the full range of potential risk factors for breast cancer. This is an important and complex international research project. We understand that Cancer Research UK intends to publish the work when it is available.

Accident and Emergency Departments

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when the next review of targets in Accident and Emergency departments is scheduled to take place; [127643]

Ms Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) on 17 September 2003, Official Report, column 838W.

Acupuncture

Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to propose statutory regulation of the acupuncture profession. [130317]

Mr. Hutton: A working group has been established by the Department and the Prince of Wales's foundation for integrated health to develop recommendations for the statutory regulation of acupuncture. The working group is currently finalising its recommendations and is due to report shortly. A parallel working group is also finalising recommendations for the statutory regulation of herbal medicine. Following the publication of the

6 Oct 2003 : Column 1258W

working groups' reports, the Department will carry out a full public consultation on the statutory regulation of acupuncture and herbal medicine.

"Agenda for Change"

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department is planning to start implementing "Agenda for Change" nationwide. [130163]

Mr. Hutton: The United Kingdom Health Departments, staff representative organisations and the national health service confederation agreed earlier this year that the new NHS pay system should be introduced in a number of "early implementer" sites from June 2003, with a view to implementing the new system nationally from October 2004 subject to any appropriate action that is needed to address any concerns arising from the "early implementer" phase.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which trusts have been chosen to pilot "Agenda for Change"; and when the pilots are due to begin. [130164]

Mr. Hutton: The following national health service trusts and primary care trusts were selected as 'early implementer' sites for the new NHS pay system. They began the process of implementation in June 2003:


Alcohol (Health Warnings)

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with regard to the displaying of health warnings on alcohol beverages. [129209]

Miss Melanie Johnson: The Government are committed to ensuring that everyone has a right to know how much alcohol they are drinking and what the safe limits for consumption are. As part of the work to develop a national alcohol harm reduction strategy, the strategy unit is working closely with other Government Departments and will be looking at the most effective way of achieving this. The strategy is due to be published towards the end of 2003 and implemented from 2004.

Food Packaging

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the use of the phrase 'may contain nuts' on food packaging. [130091]

6 Oct 2003 : Column 1259W

Miss Melanie Johnson: I am advised that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) wish to see this type of phrase used responsibly on food labels—only being used when strictly necessary and being worded in a manner that allows consumers with food allergies to make informed choices about what they eat. The FSA has held discussions with a wide range of interested parties and will shortly seek comments on an alternative phrase and guidance to industry.

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to amend the regulations on allergy-related labelling on food. [130092]

Miss Melanie Johnson: I have been advised by the Food Standards Agency that a new European Directive on allergen labelling of food is in the process of being finalised in Brussels. This will strengthen existing labelling legislation, helping to ensure that consumers are provided with comprehensive information about the ingredients of foods and that those with food allergies are able to identify products they may wish to avoid.

Next Section Index Home Page