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25 Feb 2004 : Column 495W—continued
UK Medicines (Name Changes)
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the timetable is for implementing the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency awareness campaign for nurses about the recent name changes to UK medicines; and if he will make a statement. [154587]
Ms Rosie Winterton: The names of some medicinal substances are changing in the United Kingdom so that British approved names reflect recommended International non-proprietary names, where these currently differ. This action is being taken on the advice of the Medicines Commission and with the support of a wide range of interest groups. It will reduce the risk of confusion on the part of both healthcare professionals and patients arising from the availability on the market of some medicines using two different names.
The name changes were published in the 2003 edition of the British Pharmacopoeia and became effective on 1 December 2003. From this date, licence holders for medicinal products using the old names were given 12 months to apply to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency to update their licences to use the new names.
We are committed to ensuring that all those who are responsible for prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines receive full information about the name changes and expect shortly to be in a position to issue detailed guidance and advice to healthcare professionals, including nurses.
NORTHERN IRELAND
Saville Inquiry
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what the latest estimate is of the cost of the Saville Inquiry; [155314]
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- (2) which Departments will meet the costs of the Saville Inquiry; and in what proportion. [155315]
Mr. Spellar: The latest figure available to the end of December 2003 for the cost of the Inquiry is a total of £129.9 million. £103.7 million (80 per cent. of the total) of this falls to the Northern Ireland Office and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence advises me that his Department to the end of December 2003 has spent £26.2 million (20 per cent. of the total).
The Departments which have incurred directs costs in connection with the Bloody Sunday Inquiry are the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence. The small amount of expenditure by a number of other Departments is de minimis.
Mr. Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many lawyers have been employed during the course of the Saville Inquiry; and what the latest estimate of the costs of employing lawyers during the inquiry is. [155316]
Mr. Spellar: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Londonderry (Mr. Campbell) on 12 January 2004, Official Report, column 544W and the follow-up letter I wrote on 11 February, the text of which is set out as follows.
Letter from John Spellar to Mr. Gregory Campbell on 11 February 2004:
- Further to the part reply I gave to your recent written parliamentary question on 12 January 2004, Official Report, column 544W, I am now able to provide the detailed information you requested about payments made to each of the legal firms involved in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. These payments include VAT and other disbursements where appropriate and so do not necessarily represent the amounts received by individuals.
- The following table provides the latest details of payments made by the Northern Ireland Office.
(11) In addition the following senior counsel have represented/are representing some of the families but have yet to submit fee claims: Declan Morgan and Reg Weir.
(12) Includes payments made in respect of witness statement-taking work
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My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has advised me that the following payments have been made to counsel and solicitors in respect of work for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry by his Department.
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A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library.
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Ministerial Travel
Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he last used a train in connection with his ministerial duties. [155168]
Mr. Paul Murphy: Within the UK, the method of transport used in the course of my official duties is determined by security advice from the police. Details are not disclosed for security reasons.
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