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17 Oct 2007 : Column 1178W—continued
Smoking: Fines
Mr. Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the likely number of fines to be issued for non-compliance with the public smoking ban in the first year of operation in England. [158187]
Dawn Primarolo: From the commencement of smokefree legislation in England on Sunday, 1 July 2007 levels of compliance have been very high.
Levels of compliance are fully in line with the Department’s expectations set out in the regulatory impact assessment for the legislation which are based on the experiences of other jurisdictions that have introduced comprehensive smokefree legislation.
Based on data collected from local authorities across England 98.7 per cent. of premises and vehicles required to be smokefree inspected in August were found to be fully compliant with the law. Full information is published at:
A small number of formal enforcement actions have been taken by local authorities, with 45 fixed penalty notices issued (26 in one area) and three court actions having been taken in the period 1 July to 31 August 2007.
Smokefree legislation is supported by over three-quarters of people in England and the high levels of compliance to date is an clear indication that the objective of the new law—to protect people from secondhand smoke is being met.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust: Finance
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what basis West Sussex primary care trust is of the view that its share of the NHS budget will increase by 4.5 per cent. a year over the next few years from 2007-08, as stated in its consultation document “Fit for the Future: modernising healthcare in West Sussex”; whether this figure relates to real-terms increases or cash-terms increases; and if he will make a statement. [157007]
Dawn Primarolo: No decision have yet been made about the timing of revenue allocations to primary care trusts for 2008-09 to 2010-11.
The West Sussex primary care trust should be able to provide further information regarding the figures quoted in its consultation document, “Fit for the Future: Modernising Healthcare in West Sussex”, if required
Worthing Hospital
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if (a) he, (b) Lord Darzi and (c) the Chief Executive of the NHS will visit Worthing Hospital. [157840]
Dawn Primarolo: The Secretary of State for Health, Lord Darzi and David Nicholson, the NHS chief executive all make regular visits to national health service facilities across the country. Invitations are of course considered on a case by case basis and will depend upon diary pressures and parliamentary business. Therefore, if the hon. Member wishes to, he may send a formal request to Ministers.
Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proposal from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges that facilities at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex Primary Care Trust be downgraded. [157016]
Dawn Primarolo: It is for local primary care trusts in conjunction with other local stakeholders and their strategic health authorities (SHAs) to make assessments of current and future health needs and to commission services accordingly.
South East Coast SHA has advised officials that it has provided a response to the report which can be found at the SHA's website:
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