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18 Jan 2006 : Column 1411W—continued
Smoking
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 4 March 2005, Official Report, column 1472W, on smoking, how weighted data differs from unweighted data; and if she will provide the unweighted data for the percentage of adults over 16 years who were smokers, broken down by sex in each year since 1998. [41953]
Caroline Flint: Data on smoking for those aged 16 and over are available from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) general household surveys (GHS). Questions on smoking have been included in the GHS biannually since 1974 and annually since 2000 in order to monitor trends in patterns of consumption.
The weighting of data was introduced on the GHS in 2000. The general household survey 2000 specifies that the introduction of weighted data uses a two-step approach: The data is weighted to compensate for non-response in the survey (sample-based weighting). The second step weights the sample distribution so that it matches the population in terms of region, age group and sex (population-based weighting)".
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The general household survey 2000 report presents weighted and unweighted data for 1998 to give an indication of the effect of weighting. Consequently, from 1998 there is discontinuity in the time trend with previous years.
The ONS general household survey 2004 specifies that the effect of weighting on the smoking data is slight, increasing the overall prevalence of cigarette smoking by one percentage point each year".
Unweighted data for the percentage of adults over 16 years who were smokers since 1998 is unavailable. From 1998, date is only available on a weighted basis.
A further explanation regarding the introduction of weighting into the GHS can be found electronically at: http:///www.statistics.gov.uk/lib2000/.
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the likely effect of increasing the rate of tax on tobacco on the levels of smoking in the population. [42934]
John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
The rate of tax on tobacco is just one of many factors that influence the levels of smoking in the population. HM Revenue and Customs and LSE academics have developed an economic model of the tobacco market, designed to evaluate the impact of tax and prices on the consumption of tobacco in the UK. The model is published in GES Working Paper No 150 The Demand for Tobacco Products in the UK" December 2004 and is available on HMRC's website.
John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are taking part in smoking cessation programmes in each primary care trust area in England and Wales. [39662]
Caroline Flint: Data on the number of people who set a quit date through the national health service stop smoking services and of those, how many had successfully quit, based on self report, by primary care trust in England, is published in table 18 in the statistical bulletin, Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in England, April 2004 to March 2005". A copy is available in the Library.
Thrombosis
John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what changes to undergraduate medical training have been put in place since the Government response to the Health Committee's report on prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients. [41493]
Caroline Flint: At the same time that the Government published its response on 21 July 2005 to the Health Committee's report, Guidelines on the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalised Patients", the chief medical officer (CMO) issued a letter drawing the Committee's report to the attention of the General Medical Council, the Specialist Training Authority of the Medical Royal Colleges and the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board.
The venous thromboembolism (VTE) independent expert working group, established by Government to make recommendations on the prevention and treatment of VTE in hospitalised patients to the CMO
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by summer 2006, is looking at the issue of including the appropriate use of thromboprophylaxis in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical training.
John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals (a) have thrombosis committees and (b) undertake risk assessment on new patients for thrombosis. [41494]
Caroline Flint: We are aware that there are a number of hospitals that have thrombosis committees and undertake risk assessments on new patients for thrombosis. As part of its work, the venous thromboembolism independent expert working group is currently identifying where this good practice exists around the country.
John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received on implementing the Health Select Committee's recommendations on the prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients; and if she will make a statement. [41495]
Caroline Flint: The Government responded to the Health Committee's report on 21 July 2005. In our response, we announced that we would establish an independent expert working group on the prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients. We have asked the VTE expert group to submit its report and recommendations to the chief medical officer by summer 2006. The first meeting of the group took place on 7 November 2005.
John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) remit and (b) composition is of the expert panel on venous thromboembolism (VTE) she has established to review the Health Select Committee's recommendations on the prevention of VTEs in hospitalised patients; and when she expects it to report. [41496]
Caroline Flint: The venous thromboembolism (VTE) independent expert working group has been asked to:
Consider how current best practice and guidance can be promoted and implemented and what resources might be needed to support delivery of any strategy through existing structures. This includes consideration of the need to promote or clarify existing guidance on the use of:
Recommend action for implementation pending publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence venous thromboembolism clinical guidelines in summer 2007; and
Report to the chief medical officer by summer 2006.
The VTE independent expert working group comprises 22 members. The expert group is chaired by Dr. Anita Thomas and includes representatives from all areas of expertise in venous thromboembolism including primary and secondary care, patient legal representation, education, nurses and victims. The group also has representatives from professional bodies representing the Academy of Medical and Royal Colleges and Faculties, British Cardiac Society, British
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Orthopaedic Society, British Thoracic Society, Citizens Advice Bureau, Healthcare Commission, National Patient Safety Agency, NHS Confederation and NICE.
Details of the work of the VTE independent expert working group including its terms and reference and membership can be found on the Department's website at:
CABINET OFFICE
Audible Fire Alarms
Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the premises occupied by his Department is fitted with audible fire alarms. [42888]
Mr. Jim Murphy: All premises occupied by the Cabinet Office are fitted with audible fire alarms.
Departmental Estate (Castle Point)
Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what (a) land and (b) property is owned by his Department in Castle Point. [42902]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office does not own any land or property in Castle Point.
Public Appointments (Pensions)
Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many and what percentage of the total public appointments for which he is responsible carry entitlement to a pension. [41936]
Mr. Jim Murphy: The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is responsible for making appointments to five advisory non-departmental public bodies. None of the appointments carry entitlement to a pension.
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