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26 Oct 2005 : Column 417W—continued
General Practitioners
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general practitioners there are in each of the parliamentary constituencies in Northern Ireland; and what is the average number of patients listed in each practice. [21614]
Mr. Woodward: Information requested is provided in the following table.
(19) Figures are derived from the medlist database maintained by the central services agency, which holds data on the headcount number of individual general practitioners in Northern Ireland. The figures refer to unrestricted principals at 3 October 2005.
(20) Figures are derived from the national health applications and infrastructure services system which holds data on each individual patient registered with a GP in Northern Ireland. Figures refer to 3 October 2005.
(21) Figures are based on the location of each general practice in Northern Ireland.
26 Oct 2005 : Column 418W
Hochteif PPP
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes have been made in the Hochteif bid for the Bangor Academy and Comber High School private public partnership project since it was first submitted. [19651]
Angela E. Smith: I understand from the Chief Executive of the South Eastern Education and Library Board that as negotiations in relation to this are still on-going this information is commercial in confidence.
Housing Executive Dwellings
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings are deemed unfit for occupancy, broken down by housing district; and if he will make a statement. [21196]
Mr. Hanson: The information is not available in the format requested. The rate of unfitness for all housing tenures at the Northern Ireland level was 4.9 percent. in 2001 and 3.8 percent. in 2004. The rate of unfitness in the Housing Executive and housing association sectors is around one per cent. Whilst it is not possible to provide a robust and precise figure below the Northern Ireland level because of the sample size, it is unlikely that there is any significant variation across Housing Executive districts.
With the majority of stock built since 1970, and the relatively high level of resources committed to the maintenance and improvement of social housing, levels of unfitness in both the Housing Executive and housing association sectors has remained minimal. Across all tenures, the unfitness rate remains much higher in isolated rural areas and some inner city areas of Belfast and grant aid and urban renewal will continue to play important roles in reducing unfitness.
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Northern Ireland Housing Executive dwellings have been sold to tenants since the scheme was first introduced to Northern Ireland. [21202]
Mr. Hanson: Since sales began in late 1970's some 114,044 dwellings (to the end of September 2005) have been sold to tenants by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive under its house sales scheme.
Inpatients
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what changes there have been since 2001 in the number of patients waiting more than (a) six months, (b) 12 months and (c) 18 months for inpatient admission. [21350]
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Mr. Woodward: The number of patients waiting (a) six months and over, (b) 12 months and over, and (c) 18 months and over for inpatient admission, including both day cases and ordinary admissions, since June 2001 is shown in the following table.
I have set a target to have no patient waiting longer than 12 months for inpatient or day case treatment by 31 March 2006.
Lifeguard Services
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what guidance he has issued to local councils on provision of lifeguard services on beaches, with particular reference to blue-flag beaches. [20531]
Angela E. Smith: The Blue Flag campaign in Northern Ireland is operated by the charity, Environmental Campaigns (ENCAMS). Any council participating in this campaign would have to adhere to the guidance issued by that organisation, which is based on the EC Bathing Water Directive.
MRI Scans
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the percentage use of the private sector in the provision of MRI scans in the NHS within Northern Ireland was in the last period for which figures are available. [21349]
Mr. Woodward: The information requested is not collected centrally.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
Dr. McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will commission research into myalgic encephalomyelitis. [21637]
Mr. Woodward: Myalgic encephalomyelitis is a very complex disorder which produces a broad range of symptoms and disabilities and has various suggested causes and treatments. As such research into diseases like myalgic encephalomyelitis needs to be undertaken in specialised centres of excellence and coordinated at the national level.
The R and D strategy for the health and personal social services, in common with other NHS R and D strategies, does not generally allocate funds for this type of research, however funding for research into myalgic encephalomyelitis has been made available from sources such as the Medical Research Council.
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Negligence Claims
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the costs over the next 12 months which might result from clinical negligence in the Province. [20050]
Mr. Woodward: The cost to the Health and Personal Social Services budget is the net impact of the provision being established for new cases reduced by the settlement of existing cases. This is estimated at £11 million in 2005–06.
Northern Ireland Events Company
Mr. Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the members of the board of the Northern Ireland Events Company were chosen; what their attendance allowance is; and how much funding was given by central Government to the company in each year since its formation. [21248]
Mr. Hanson: The Northern Ireland Events Company's 12 current board members were appointed in 2002. Of these, seven were appointed by open competition, three were co-opted on to the board and two were nominated by outside bodies (Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Sports Council for Northern Ireland). The board members were appointed for three years and this period has been extended by ministerial approval for one year (to June 2006), as allowed by the Code of Practice, issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Events Company board members do not receive an attendance allowance.
The Northern Ireland Events Company has been given central Government funding since its formation as shown in the following table:
| Amount of central Government funding (£) | |
|---|---|
| 1997–98 | 10,000 |
| 1998–99 | 749,100 |
| 1999–2000 | 1,143,000 |
| 2000–01 | 1,100,000 |
| 2001–02 | 1,600,000 |
| 2002–03 | 2,100,000 |
| 2003–04 | 2,458,000 |
| 2004–05 | 1,890,000 |
| 2005–06 | 2,200,000 |
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