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Rev. Martin Smyth: Will the Minister join me in congratulating those who have pioneered some of the cancer developments, including internationally linked research, and particularly Men Against Cancer, which has, through voluntary contributions, opened the men's cancer unit in Belfast City hospital?
Angela Smith: I am happy to join in those congratulations. The work being undertaken in Northern Ireland, particularly on research, is one of the jewels in the crown. Given consultant vacancies and shortages, cancer research is attracting high-quality professionals to Northern Ireland. The All-Ireland Cancer Consortium, which works on important research with the Republic of Ireland and the United States of America, also attracts professionals, including those who specialise in cancer care.
Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): The Minister will not be aware that several of my colleagues and I recently met Professor Roy Spence, who is one of the leading cancer specialists in Northern Ireland and one of the pioneers to whom my hon. Friend the Member for Belfast, South (Rev. Martin Smyth) referred. Does the Minister share my concern that there is a significant shortfall in the number of consultants in specialities such as cancer in the national health service in Northern Ireland? As a result, and as she will know, waiting lists have been growing for some time, leaving Northern Ireland with
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the longest waiting lists in some of those specialities. Will she outline what steps her Department is taking to recruit additional consultants in medical fields such as cancer?
Angela Smith: The hon. Gentleman is correct, but waiting lists and waiting times are at the heart of Government policy. The work being undertaken to tackle them is evidenced in how waiting times and waiting lists have reduced in the past two or three years.
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely correct about consultants. That is why I highlighted the issue of research. Work is ongoing to aid recruitment, although it has been difficult to recruit specialists to Northern Ireland. A political settlement and the stability of the institutions would aid recruitment enormously. I am confident that research into cancer care and cancer treatment is attracting high-quality staff to Northern Ireland, and our work with the all-Ireland body and the United States is increasingly attracting professionals to Northern Ireland to improve their skills and to become involved in research. We should be heralding that extra recruitment tool.
Lady Hermon (North Down) (UUP): Will the Minister confirm that it is the intention of her Department to introduce screening for bowel cancer and, if so, the time scale for the introduction of such a programme?
Angela Smith: At present, pilot schemes are being introduced in England and Wales. They will be rolled out in England from April 2006. We will look at the work that is being done before those pilot schemes are introduced, and we will look at the results of the pilot schemes in England to see how we might introduce something similar in Northern Ireland. I cannot give the hon. Lady a time scale, but it is something that we wish to introduce once we have considered the results of the pilot schemes in England.
Mr. Eddie McGrady (South Down) (SDLP): As a member of a family that have availed themselves of the cancer services in Northern Ireland for many years, I am aware of the dedication and high standards that apply. However, I am puzzled as to why the treatment, review and consultancy process is limited to what I call office hours—between 9 am and 4 pm or 5 pm. Surely that is an uneconomic use of resources. The clinics, the treatment rooms and the radiation departments should be used for two, if not three, shifts.
Will not the Minister examine that issue and bring in consultants to man the hours when there is a staff shortage, thereby reducing waiting lists dramatically? That concerns people who are suffering, and increases the risk of incurable situations. Speed and efficiency are at the heart of cancer treatment. I urge the Minister to consider those issues.
Angela Smith: I can confirm that all issues that relate to the development of cancer care are being examined by the regional cancer services framework steering group. I hope that it will report to me by the end of
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February. The hon. Gentleman referred to ongoing care. Cancer patients do not simply have one course of treatment; they require ongoing care. Ways in which care can be provided must be examined, and not only the number of hours but the level of care that can be provided in cancer patients' own homes or communities, thereby reducing the treatments that they need to undergo in hospital.
Maze Prison
6. Mr. Jeffrey M. Donaldson (Lagan Valley) (DUP): When he expects to make an announcement on whether the future development of the site of the former Maze prison will include a new national sports stadium for Northern Ireland. [208900]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Angela Smith): The Maze Consultation Panel was established to spearhead a wide-ranging programme of consultation and to publish a report on the potential uses of the site. It has not yet reported to Government. Although some preliminary work has been undertaken to identify suitable sites for a multi-sports stadium, no firm decisions can be taken until a detailed economic appraisal and a fully worked-up business case for the stadium has been completed.
On the basis of an initial site selection exercise to identify possible suitable locations, three sites have been identified for more detailed consideration: the Maze-Long Kesh site, the north foreshore and the Titanic quarter. I am satisfied that an economic appraisal, including a robust business case for the stadium, should now be carried out, and I have asked officials to put that work in hand.
Mr. Donaldson: The Minister will not be surprised to learn that it is my contention that the Maze is by far the best site, not least because the Government own it. It will cost in excess of £50 million to develop the Titanic quarter site—its owners want that amount of money simply to transfer the land. The north foreshore is reclaimed land, so substantial costs will be involved to underpin any structure built there. Given the strategic location of the Maze site and its proximity to the transport infrastructure, will the Minister accept my lobby on behalf of the people of my constituency in support of the Maze prison site?
Angela Smith: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his ingenious question. I accept his lobby and also many other lobbies on the issue that have come from many different quarters. However, it is appropriate that we wait for a robust and detailed business case and a full appraisal, after which we can make a final decision.
Mr. Iain Luke (Dundee, East) (Lab): On previous occasions, the Minister has supported the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr. Donaldson) on this issue. Given the history of Long Kesh and the Maze prison, it would be a symbolic step. However, while economic plans and so forth are being developed, I worry whether due attention is being given to the
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transport infrastructure, because the site is some distance from urban centres. I hope that we can push ahead after the consultation, which I hope will come down in favour of the Maze site. However, it is important to ensure that any sporting venue has a proper transport infrastructure.
Angela Smith: It is clear that there is enormous enthusiasm for the principle. I assure my hon. Friend that infrastructure issues will be taken into account during the appraisal.
Rev. Martin Smyth (Belfast, South) (UUP): While we await the decision about the site for the new stadium, will the Minister tell us whether money will be available to improve the international stadiums for European and World Cup matches?
Angela Smith: The hon. Gentleman and I have met and discussed sports grounds on more than one occasion. We are examining ways to help through the safer sports grounds programme. He has been in contact with my officials to discuss the implications for other sites in Northern Ireland.
Mr. Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP): May I reinforce the point made by the hon. Member for Dundee, East (Mr. Luke)? Will the Minister assure the Committee that, wherever the stadium is located, she will liaise with the Department for Regional Development to ensure that people, particularly those from the north coast and the north-west, have adequate public transport to get to the ground to support Northern Ireland when football matches are played there?
Angela Smith: If it will assist Members, I can give an assurance that all issues such as the location of the stadium, its capacity and the infrastructure will have to be examined fully before a decision is taken. The presentation of the business case and the location will be taken fully into consideration.
Draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005
The Chairman: We now move on to the main debate on the draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005, which can continue for two and a half hours. I have no power to impose a time limit on speeches, but brief contributions will enable me to call as many Members as possible.
3.1 pm
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Barry Gardiner): I beg to move,
That the Committee has considered the proposal for a draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005.
May I say how pleased I am, Mr. Illsley, to be speaking under your chairmanship once again? I look forward to you guiding us through the intricacies of the order and of the debate.
I welcome the opportunity for members of the Grand Committee to consider the proposal for a draft Higher Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005, which represents a significant development in the pursuit of the Government's aim for higher education
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in Northern Ireland to be a provider of world-class teaching, research and scholarship. We recognise the value of higher education and its immense contribution to the social, economic and cultural fabric of our society. We have, therefore, a strategic interest in maintaining our universities as strong, dynamic institutions that embrace the highest standards and that can compete and collaborate successfully with their counterparts in the rest of the United Kingdom, the rest of Ireland and, increasingly, worldwide.
The quality of teaching and research means that our universities and higher education institutions rank among the better higher education institutions in the United Kingdom. The challenge for us is to ensure, in the face of a changing higher education sector in England, that the Northern Ireland institutions continue to contribute to economic growth, develop and enhance research excellence, fulfil their social and cultural role, provide access to high-quality education for local students and, in general, compete favourably with their counterparts in Great Britain.
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