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14 Jan 2008 : Column 1034W—continued
Tomography
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) computerised tomography scanners, (b) magnetic resonance imaging scanners, (c) linear accelerators and (d) positron emission tomography scanners have been available for use in the NHS in each year since 2000. [174776]
Mr. Bradshaw: The Department does not collect this data centrally. Such data as are available from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is shown in the following table. Data for positron emission tomography scanners are unavailable.
| Modality | Installed base at January 2000 | Installed base November 2007 |
Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) endoscopies, (b) non-obstetric ultrasound tests, (c) computerised tomography scans and (d) magnetic resonance imaging scans took place in the NHS in each year since 1997-98. [175106]
Ann Keen: Such information as is available is shown in the following table.
Urological Cancers
Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the progress made by cancer networks in implementing the Improving Outcomes Guidance for Urological Cancers; and if he will make a statement. [175510]
Ann Keen: The majority of cancer networks are expected to have fully implemented the Improving Outcomes Guidance by the end of December 2007. We will assess the exact position early this year.
In addition, the report of the 2004-07 round of cancer peer review will be published early this year. This will include information on how cancer networks were progressing with this Improving Outcomes Guidance at the time of the peer review visits.
Home Department
Drugs Misuse
11. Dr. Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will liaise with the Secretary of State for Health to develop a strategy to combat the misuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. [177768]
Mr. Coaker: The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an Executive agency of the Department of Health, and is responsible for monitoring the safety of all medicines in the UK, including concerns about misuse, and takes suitable action to safeguard public health when necessary.
12. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to combat drug misuse among young people. [177769]
Mr. Coaker: We have a comprehensive programme of action under way to prevent today's young people from becoming tomorrow's drug users, through:
tackling the supply of drugs;
delivery of high quality drug education and information to young people and their families; and
early intervention and treatment for those young people most at risk.
Prostitution
13. Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of organisations which help women to exit prostitution. [177770]
Mr. Coaker: We have not made any formal assessment of the effectiveness of organisations which help women to exit prostitution, but we will be evaluating the implementation of the Government's prostitution strategy in local areas in the near future.
Developing routes out is a key element of our strategy, which provides a framework for local areas to develop their own strategies including the provision of tailored support for those involved in prostitution.
Biometric Visas
14. Chris Mole: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the timetable for the introduction of biometric visas for people travelling to the UK. [177771]
Mr. Byrne: Our target to introduce fingerprint visas by April 2008 has been met. This has been achieved ahead of time and under budget. All applicants for a UK visa are now required to provide their fingerprints.
Human Trafficking
15. Dr. Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of when the UK will be in a position to ratify the Council of Europe convention against trafficking in human beings. [177772]
Mr. Coaker: We will ratify the Convention as soon as possible. This will be subject to the necessary domestic legislation being in place in all parts of the UK to ensure we can fully comply with the Convention.
Police Priorities
17. Angela Watkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the impact of targets on police priorities. [177774]
24. Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the impact of targets on police priorities. [177782]
Mr. McNulty: In setting our new public service agreements (published on 9 October last year) we have, as always, taken account of feedback from the police and others. The new objectives and the supporting performance framework have been designed to promote local flexibility while ensuring that the most harmful issues, like tackling more serious violent crime, are given the priority they deserve.
Data Loss
18. Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her latest estimate is of the number of accidental data loss in her Department in the last 12 months. [177775]
Mr. Byrne:
I refer the hon. Member to the review being undertaken by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts into procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. I also refer the hon. Member to the statement of 17 December by my
right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on measures to improve the security of personal data.
As a result of this interim report, and in common with all departments, the Home Office will cover information assurance, including material on potential breaches, in its annual report.
Points-based Migration
19. Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on her plans to introduce a points-based system for migrant workers; and if she will make a statement. [177776]
Meg Hillier: The points-based system is on track to start in early Spring. Initially it will apply to highly skilled migrants who contribute significantly to the growth and productivity of the UK economy. When fully implemented it will reduce routes of entry to the UK from over 60 to five.
Neighbourhood Policing
20. Mr. Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the implementation of neighbourhood policing. [177777]
22. Lynda Waltho: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing schemes; and if she will make a statement. [177780]
Mr. McNulty: The joint HMIC and Home Office Police Performance Assessment of the implementation of neighbourhood policing for 2006-07 awarded six forces an excellent grade and recognised 12 other forces as having improved on the previous year.
The Home Office is also conducting an evaluation of neighbourhood policing which is scheduled to end in March 2009 but a report of early findings will be published in the first half of 2008.
Gun Crime
21. Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the steps taken by the Government to reduce gun crime since 1997. [177779]
Mr. Coaker: We have made significant progress in efforts to reduce gun crime since 1997. We have increased enforcement operations, introduced tougher legislation and given more powers to the police and courts to deal with offenders. We are also empowering communities to take local action against guns and criminal gangs.
Antisocial Behaviour Orders
23. Mr. Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of anti-social behaviour orders; and if she will make a statement. [177781]
Mr. Coaker: Three independent reports have confirmed our approach to tackling anti-social behaviour is working—Home Affairs Select Committee (2005), Audit Commission (2006), NAO (2006).
65 per cent. of people desisted from ASB after one intervention
85 per cent. after two
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