House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 5 Jul 2005 (pt 38)

5 Jul 2005 : Column 366W—continued

Solvent Abuse

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research the Government have commissioned on the causes and effects of solvent abuse. [8332]

Caroline Flint: The Department has not commissioned any specific research into the causes and effects of volatile substance abuse (VSA).

The Department has, in partnership with the Home Office, the Department for Education and Skills and a wide range of external stakeholders, including the British Aerosol Manufacturers Association, St. George's University of London, ReSolv and the National Children's Bureau, produced a framework which sets out a strategic direction for addressing VSA. It is due to be published shortly.

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinics in England provide services for the treatment of solvent abuse. [8376]

5 Jul 2005 : Column 367W

Caroline Flint: There are currently no clinics in England providing specific services for the treatment of volatile substance abuse (VSA).

However, young people treatment services work with young people with substance abuse issues including VSA.

The Department does not centrally collect information about service provisions for treatment of VSA for adults.

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when and where the Government's strategy on volatile substance abuse will be announced. [8377]

5 Jul 2005 : Column 368W

Caroline Flint: The Department is aiming to publish the volatile substance abuse framework shortly.

Speech Therapists

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many speech therapists there have been per 100,000 (a) adults and (b) children in each of the last 10 years. [8186]

Mr. Byrne: The table shows the ratio of speech and language therapists per 100,000 population under 18 years old and over 18 in each year since 1995.

The number of speech and language therapists per 100,000 population has increased from 8.96 in 1995 to 13.1 in 2004.
National health service hospital and community health services: qualified speech and language therapeutic staff in England as at 30 September each year—by headcount and per 100,000 people in England Headcount

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Total Speech and Language Therapists 4,335 4,705 4,871 5,031 5,185

Estimated England population 48,383,500 48,519,100 48,664,800 48,820,600 49,032,900

Estimated England population under 18 11,113,600 11,183,600 11,214,000 11,207,200 11,209,800

Estimated England population 18 and over 37,269,900 37,335,500 37,450,800 37,613,300 37,823,100

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 8.96 9.70 10.01 10.31 10.57

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people under 18 39.01 42.07 43.44 44.89 46.25

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 18 and over 11.63 12.60 13.01 13.38 13.71

Headcount

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Total Speech and Language Therapists 5,430 5,685 5,960 6,243 6,556

Estimated England population 49,233,300 49,449,700 49,646,900 49,855,700 50,056,900

Estimated England population under 18 11,177,100 11,145,800 11,117,900 11,082,200 n/a

Estimated England population 18 and over 38,056,200 38,303,900 38,529,000 38,773,500 n/a

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 11.03 11.50 12.00 12.52 13.10

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people under 18 48.58 51.01 53.61 56.33 n/a

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 18 and over 14.27 14.84 15.47 16.10 n/a

n/a = not available.
Notes:
1.Population figures are rounded to the nearest 100 and totals may not equal sum of component parts
2.2004 component data are not available
Source:
Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census
Office for National Statistics

	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999
Total Speech and Language Therapists	4,335	4,705	4,871	5,031	5,185

Estimated England population	48,383,500	48,519,100	48,664,800	48,820,600	49,032,900
Estimated England population under 18	11,113,600	11,183,600	11,214,000	11,207,200	11,209,800
Estimated England population 18 and over	37,269,900	37,335,500	37,450,800	37,613,300	37,823,100

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people	8.96	9.70	10.01	10.31	10.57

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people under 18	39.01	42.07	43.44	44.89	46.25

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 18 and over	11.63	12.60	13.01	13.38	13.71

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004
Total Speech and Language Therapists	5,430	5,685	5,960	6,243	6,556

Estimated England population	49,233,300	49,449,700	49,646,900	49,855,700	50,056,900
Estimated England population under 18	11,177,100	11,145,800	11,117,900	11,082,200	n/a
Estimated England population 18 and over	38,056,200	38,303,900	38,529,000	38,773,500	n/a

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people	11.03	11.50	12.00	12.52	13.10

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people under 18	48.58	51.01	53.61	56.33	n/a

Speech and Language Therapists per 100,000 people 18 and over	14.27	14.84	15.47	16.10	n/a

Water Fluoridation

Sir John Butterfill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the report of the World Health Organisation in 2002 concerning the findings of the US National Toxicology Programme relating to rates of osteosarcoma among young males living in fluoridated areas. [7280]

Caroline Flint: We are aware that, on 6 June, a research organisation in the United States, the Environmental Working Group, published a press release asking the National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health to list fluoride in tap water in its report on carcinogens, based on its ability to cause a rare form of childhood bone cancer, osteosarcoma". The request refers to a doctoral thesis completed in 2001 by a student at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

The systematic review of water fluoridation undertaken by the University of York identified over 3,000 reports of research projects on fluoridation of which 735 met their criteria for inclusion in their study. The researchers did not find any evidence of an association between water fluoridation and bone cancer, but we are not complacent and are committed to strengthening the evidence base. In this context, we have been informed by the oral health division of the Centers for Disease Control that the author of the thesis has invited them to review her findings as part of the peer review process conducted before a research study is published. We have asked to be kept informed.

5 Jul 2005 : Column 369W

HOME OFFICE

Airguns

Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place against persons who have sold an air weapon to a person under 17 years in each of the last five years. [5158]

Hazel Blears: The information contained on the Home Office Court Proceeding database shows that in England and Wales from 1999 to 2003, there was one prosecution (in 1999) for selling or letting on hire a firearm to a person under 17 (Firearms Act 1968, sec. 24(1) Group III air weapons). Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in the autumn.

Alcohol (Crime/Disorder Zones)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned into the effects of designated alcohol disorder zones; and how these zones will be enforced. [4726]

5 Jul 2005 : Column 370W

Hazel Blears: We will monitor the use and impact of alcohol disorder zones once the Violent Crime Reduction Bill has completed its parliamentary passage, and come into force. We will be consulting stakeholders over the summer about the detail of how alcohol disorder zones would work in practice, including enforcement issues.

Mr. Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent on police campaigns to tackle alcohol-related crime in each year from 1997. [7541]

Hazel Blears: The Home Office do not centrally collect information on how much is spent on police campaigns to tackle alcohol-related crime. Each force will have its own arrangements in place for resourcing alcohol-misuse enforcement activity.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued to people aged under (a) 10 years, (b) 11 years, (c) 12 years, (d) 13 years, (e) 14 years, (f) 15 years, (g) 16 years, (h) 17 years and (i) 18 years in each London borough since 1999. [5265]

Hazel Blears: The information is given in the following table.
The number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, where restrictions were imposed within Greater London local government authority areas, from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2004 (latest available).

Age at issue of ASBO

Area Total issued 10⁽³¹⁾ 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Greater London 109 — — 1 6 11 26 29 27

Of which:

From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 by pfa⁽³²⁾ 9 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

From 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2004 by local government authority area:

Barnet 3 — — — — — 1 — 2

Bexley 6 1 — 1 — — 1 1 3

Brent 4 — — — — — 1 1 2

Bromley 3 — — — — — 1 1 1

Camden 7 1 1 — 1 1 4 1 —

Croydon 6 — — — — — 2 3 1

Ealing 9 1 2 — 1 2 1 2 3

Greenwich 7 — 1 — — 1 1 5 —

Hackney 5 1 — — 1 — 1 1 2

Hammersmith and Fulham 3 1 1 — 1 1 — — 1

Havering 1 — — — — — — 1 —

Hillingdon 2 — — — — — — — 2

Hounslow 3 — — — — — — 2 1

Islington 2 — — — — — 1 1 —

Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough 1 — — — — — 1 — —

Kingston-on-Thames 1 — — — — — 1 — —

Lewisham 5 — — — — — 2 2 1

Merton 5 — 1 — — 1 1 3 —

Newham 2 1 — — 1 — — 1 —

Richmond upon Thames 5 — 2 — — 2 2 — 1

Southwark 6 1 2 — 1 2 2 — 1

Sutton 4 — — — — — 2 1 1

Tower Hamlets 2 — — — — — — 1 1

Waltham Forest 4 — — — — — 1 1 2

Wandsworth 2 — 1 — — 1 — — 1

Westminster 2 — — — — — — 1 1

n/a = not available.
⁽³¹⁾ASBOs are available only to persons aged 10 years or over.
⁽³²⁾Between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area.

5 Jul 2005 : Column 371W

		Age at issue of ASBO
Area	Total issued	10⁽³¹⁾	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Greater London	109	—	—	1	6	11	26	29	27
Of which:
From 1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000 by pfa⁽³²⁾	9	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
From 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2004 by local government authority area:
Barnet	3	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	2
Bexley	6	1	—	1	—	—	1	1	3
Brent	4	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	2
Bromley	3	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	1
Camden	7	1	1	—	1	1	4	1	—
Croydon	6	—	—	—	—	—	2	3	1
Ealing	9	1	2	—	1	2	1	2	3
Greenwich	7	—	1	—	—	1	1	5	—
Hackney	5	1	—	—	1	—	1	1	2
Hammersmith and Fulham	3	1	1	—	1	1	—	—	1
Havering	1	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	—
Hillingdon	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2
Hounslow	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	1
Islington	2	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—
Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
Kingston-on-Thames	1	—	—	—	—	—	1	—	—
Lewisham	5	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	1
Merton	5	—	1	—	—	1	1	3	—
Newham	2	1	—	—	1	—	—	1	—
Richmond upon Thames	5	—	2	—	—	2	2	—	1
Southwark	6	1	2	—	1	2	2	—	1
Sutton	4	—	—	—	—	—	2	1	1
Tower Hamlets	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1
Waltham Forest	4	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	2
Wandsworth	2	—	1	—	—	1	—	—	1
Westminster	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders were issued to (a) girls and (b) boys under 16 years in each London borough in each year since 1999. [5315]

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the following table.
The number of ASBOs issued at all courts to persons age10 to 15 years, as reported to the Home Office, by sex and by period, where restrictions were imposed within Greater London local government authority areas, from 1 June 2000⁽³³⁾ to 30 September 2004 (latest available).

1 June 2000 to
31 December 2000
2001

Area Female Male Female Male

Barnet — — — —

Bexley — 2 — —

Brent — — — —

Bromley — 1 — —

Camden — 3 — —

Croydon — — — —

Ealing — — — —

Greenwich — — — —

Hackney — — — 1

Hammersmith and Fulham — — — —

Islington — — — —

Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough — — — —

Kingston-on-Thames — — — —

Lewisham — — — 2

Merton — — — —

Newham — — — 1

Richmond upon Thames — — — —

Southwark — — — —

Sutton — 2 — —

Waltham Forest — — — —

Wandsworth — — — —

Total — 8 — 4

2002
2003

Area Female Male Female Male

Barnet — — — —

Bexley — — — —

Brent — — — 1

Bromley — — — —

Camden — — 1 1

Croydon — — — 1

Ealing — — — —

Greenwich — — 1 1

Hackney — — — 1

Hammersmith and Fulham — — — —

Islington — — — 1

Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough — — — —

Kingston-on-Thames — — — 1

Lewisham — — — —

Merton — — — —

Newham — — — —

Richmond upon Thames — — — —

Southwark — — 1 3

Sutton — — — —

Waltham Forest — — — —

Wandsworth — — — —

Total — — 3 10

5 Jul 2005 : Column 372W

1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004

Area Female Male Total issued

Barnet — 1 1

Bexley — — 2

Brent — — 1

Bromley — 1

Camden — 1 6

Croydon — 1 1

Ealing — 4 4

Greenwich — — 2

Hackney — — 2

Hammersmith and Fulham — 2 2

Islington — — 1

Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough — 1 1

Kingston-on-Thames — — 1

Lewisham — — 2

Merton — 2 2

Newham — — 1

Richmond upon Thames — 4 4

Southwark — 1 5

Sutton — — 2

Waltham Forest — 1 1

Wandsworth — 1 1

Total — 19 44

⁽³³⁾Between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area (pfa). During this period a total of nine ASBOs were issued within Greater London pfa.

	1 June 2000 to 31 December 2000	2001
Area	Female	Male	Female	Male
Barnet	—	—	—	—
Bexley	—	2	—	—
Brent	—	—	—	—
Bromley	—	1	—	—
Camden	—	3	—	—
Croydon	—	—	—	—
Ealing	—	—	—	—
Greenwich	—	—	—	—
Hackney	—	—	—	1
Hammersmith and Fulham	—	—	—	—
Islington	—	—	—	—
Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough	—	—	—	—
Kingston-on-Thames	—	—	—	—
Lewisham	—	—	—	2
Merton	—	—	—	—
Newham	—	—	—	1
Richmond upon Thames	—	—	—	—
Southwark	—	—	—	—
Sutton	—	2	—	—
Waltham Forest	—	—	—	—
Wandsworth	—	—	—	—
Total	—	8	—	4

	2002	2003
Area	Female	Male	Female	Male
Barnet	—	—	—	—
Bexley	—	—	—	—
Brent	—	—	—	1
Bromley	—	—	—	—
Camden	—	—	1	1
Croydon	—	—	—	1
Ealing	—	—	—	—
Greenwich	—	—	1	1
Hackney	—	—	—	1
Hammersmith and Fulham	—	—	—	—
Islington	—	—	—	1
Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough	—	—	—	—
Kingston-on-Thames	—	—	—	1
Lewisham	—	—	—	—
Merton	—	—	—	—
Newham	—	—	—	—
Richmond upon Thames	—	—	—	—
Southwark	—	—	1	3
Sutton	—	—	—	—
Waltham Forest	—	—	—	—
Wandsworth	—	—	—	—
Total	—	—	3	10

	1 January 2004 to 30 September 2004
Area	Female	Male	Total issued
Barnet	—	1	1
Bexley	—	—	2
Brent	—	—	1
Bromley	—	1
Camden	—	1	6
Croydon	—	1	1
Ealing	—	4	4
Greenwich	—	—	2
Hackney	—	—	2
Hammersmith and Fulham	—	2	2
Islington	—	—	1
Kensington and Chelsea Royal Borough	—	1	1
Kingston-on-Thames	—	—	1
Lewisham	—	—	2
Merton	—	2	2
Newham	—	—	1
Richmond upon Thames	—	4	4
Southwark	—	1	5
Sutton	—	—	2
Waltham Forest	—	1	1
Wandsworth	—	1	1
Total	—	19	44

Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the (a) number and (b) application of antisocial behaviour orders in Hemel Hempstead constituency. [5376]

Hazel Blears: Antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been available to the courts since one April 1999. From commencement up to 31 May 2000 data were collected, on aggregate numbers only, by police force area. From copies of the orders received, since 1 June 2000, we are able to determine the local government authority areas in which restrictions are imposed. The number of ASBOs issued, as notified to the Home Office, in the local government authority area of Dacorum borough council, in which the Hemel Hempstead constituency is situated, from 1 June 2000 to 30 September 2005 (latest available) is seven. It is for local agencies to decide upon the application of ASBOs across the Dacorum borough council area as part of their overall strategy to reduce antisocial behaviour.

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many under 16-year-olds have breached the terms of their antisocial behaviour orders. [6220]

5 Jul 2005 : Column 373W

Hazel Blears: Of those antisocial behaviour orders reported to the Home Office as having been issued between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2003, 199 were breached by persons aged under 16. Breach data for 2004 will be available towards the end of the year.

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of antisocial behaviour orders have been breached; and how many of those concerned were given a custodial sentence. [6460]

Hazel Blears [holding answer 22 June 2005]: Of the 1,892 antisocial behaviour orders reported to the Home Office as having been issued between 1 June 2000 and 31 December 2003, 793 or 42 per cent. were breached at least once in the same period. Of these, 437 or 55 per cent. resulted in a custodial sentence either on the first or later occasion. Breach data for 2004 will be available towards the end of the year.

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in (a) the Dyfed Powys Constabulary and (b) the Ceredigion constituency in each year since their introduction. [7269]

Hazel Blears: The available information is given in the table.
Number of ASBOs issued at all courts, as reported to the Home Office, within the Dyfed Powys criminal justice system area, and where restrictions have been imposed in the local government authority area of Ceredigion county council, by period, from 1 April 1999 to 30 September 2004⁽³⁴⁾

Dyfed Powys⁽³⁵⁾ Ceredigion
county council⁽³⁶⁾

1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000⁽³⁷⁾ — —

1 June to 31 December 2000 — —

2001 — —

2002 — —

2003 11 8

1 January to 30 September 2004 7 —

Total 18 8

⁽³⁴⁾Latest available.
⁽³⁵⁾Dyfed Powys criminal justice system area is coterminous with Dyfed Powys police force area.
⁽³⁶⁾Unitary authority area in which restrictions are imposed.
4Between 1 April 1999 and 31 May 2000 data were collected on aggregate numbers only by police force area.

	Dyfed Powys⁽³⁵⁾	Ceredigion county council⁽³⁶⁾
1 April 1999 to 31 May 2000⁽³⁷⁾	—	—
1 June to 31 December 2000	—	—
2001	—	—
2002	—	—
2003	11	8
1 January to 30 September 2004	7	—
Total	18	8

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