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25 Oct 2010 : Column 108W—continued

Departmental Sick Leave

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport for how many days on average his Department's staff in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill-health in 2009-10. [18567]

John Penrose: The table shows the average number of working days lost due to ill-health in my Department in 2009-10.

Civil service pay grade Average working days lost by staff year

AA/AO

23.1

EO

5.6

HEO/SEO

4.0

G7

1.9

G6

3.3

SCS

1.4

Total

4.7


Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many officials in his Department have had (a) fewer than five days, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days, (f) 25 to 50 days, (g) 50 to 75 days, (h) 75 to 100 days, (i) 100 to 150 days, (j) 150 to 200 days, (k) more than 200 days, (l) more than three months, (m) more than six months and (n) one year on paid sick leave (i) consecutively and (ii) in total in each year since 1997. [18747]

John Penrose: The table shows the total number of officials who were on leave due to sickness absence in the Department in each year since 2003.

(i) Officials who were on leave due to sickness absence consecutively in each of the category could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.


25 Oct 2010 : Column 109W

25 Oct 2010 : Column 110W
Length of absence 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

< 5 days

187

213

225

270

279

324

378

5-10 days

29

23

16

36

33

38

31

10-15 days

0

10

4

6

4

5

10

15-20 days

4

2

3

4

0

5

3

20-25 days

1

0

2

2

1

1

4

25-50 days

1

7

8

6

3

0

7

50-75 days

0

2

3

1

1

1

0

75-100 days

1

0

1

0

0

2

2

100-150 days

1

0

0

0

1

2

0

150-200 days

1

0

0

0

0

0

3

>3 months

0

0

0

1

0

2

4

>6 months

0

0

0

0

0

2

3

>1 year

0

0

0

0

0

0

0


The Department does not hold information prior to 2003.

Digital Economy Act 2010

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the appropriateness of the implementation by Ofcom of its regulatory duties under the Digital Economy Act 2010; and if he will make a statement. [18459]

Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply in my capacity as a Minister in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

This Department is in regular contact with Ofcom, particularly in respect to their work on developing the code of practice known as 'The Online Copyright Infringement Initial Obligations Code'. As an independent regulator, Ofcom's compliance with its statutory duties is a matter for Ofcom itself, and Ofcom is directly accountable to Parliament.

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what responsibilities he has for oversight of the discharge by Ofcom of its responsibilities under the Digital Economy Act 2010 in respect of sectors which are the policy responsibility of the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills; and if he will make a statement. [19495]

Mr Vaizey: Ofcom operates independently of Government and is responsible for its own compliance with its statutory duties. Ofcom is, however, directly accountable to Parliament.

Football

Mr Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent representations he has received on his proposals for reform of football governance rules in respect of ownership of Premier League football clubs. [19298]

Hugh Robertson: The Department has received numerous representations from Members of Parliament and members of the public about the ownership of some of our top Premier League clubs. I am aware of the strength of feeling.

My current priority is to win the world cup bid for 2018; however, I am continuing discussions with the football authorities on the question of governance reform and club ownership.

To their credit, the Premier League has already taken steps to introduce a number of new rules for this season, specifically in the areas of club ownership. This includes a new means and abilities test, requiring proof of funds of prospective new owners as well as a strengthening of their Owners and Directors Test (formerly known as the fit and proper persons test).

However, we are examining what further action might be necessary.

Olympic Games 2010: Skipton

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to ensure a legacy for Skipton and Ripon constituency from the London 2012 Olympics. [18935]

Hugh Robertson: The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) established the Nations and Regions Group to ensure UK-wide engagement and to maximise the legacy from London 2012. This group works directly with representatives from each of the nations and English regions to realise the sporting, economic, and cultural benefits of the 2012 games.

Across the UK over 850 cultural and sporting programmes have been awarded Inspire Marks, 63 being in the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Over 14,000 schools and colleges have registered for LOCOG's education programme Get Set, 1,262 are registered in the region. In Ripon and Skipton 17 schools and colleges have registered for Get Set.

In addition 6,290 companies in the region have registered on Competefor (the website where London 2012 contract opportunities are advertised), and 32 contracts have been awarded to Competefor suppliers. Not all the information on 'supply chain' level contracts is in the public domain. There may be other companies that have secured 'supply chain' contracts in the region.

Locations across the UK, particularly those that are hosting international teams in pre-games training camps (PGTCs), have additional opportunities to realise the economic benefits of the games. Five agreements have been signed with teams to hold PGTCs in the region.


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Public Libraries

Mr Nuttall: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to modernise public libraries. [19235]

Mr Vaizey: Our priority is to identify opportunities for the public library service to operate more effectively and efficiently. The Future Libraries Programme, which I launched in July, is finding new ways to deliver library services without cutting the front line services that communities want and need. It provides the chance to try new and innovative methods like shared resources, different governance models and co-locating with other services. Further details of the Future Libraries Programme can be accessed on the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council's website at

Sports: Public Participation

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions with the (a) London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and (b) Mayor of London on changes to the route of the marathon from that specified in the original bid document; and if he will make a statement. [19012]

Hugh Robertson: Responsibility for the route of the Olympic and Paralympic marathon events in 2012 rests with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). LOCOG wrote and sought endorsement from the Olympic Board members, which includes the chair of the British Olympic Association, the Mayor of London and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport. The route has been endorsed by these Olympic Board members. The route has been chosen for operational reasons. It helps keep London moving on busy competition days, minimises disruption to other games events, and best meets athlete and spectator requirements.

Television

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport (1) what timetable he has set for the implementation of his proposals for local television services; and if he will make a statement; [19412]

(2) what plans he has for the implementation of his proposals for local television services in (a) urban and (b) rural areas. [19413]

Mr Vaizey: Nicholas Shott is currently conducting an independent review of local TV in the UK and will present the Secretary of State with his final conclusions by early December. This will form the basis of a local media action plan which we will consult on in the next few months. Subject to Nicholas Shott's findings, we hope to see the first local TV stations licensed from 2012.

Nicholas Shott's interim findings suggest that local television on digital terrestrial is only likely to be viable in certain areas of the UK, which Government are considering.


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For those areas where local TV is not deemed to be viable on digital terrestrial, internet protocol television such as YouView may offer a future solution to make local television services technically and economically viable.

Television: Broadcasting

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what recent discussions he has had on the establishment of local television stations; and if he will make a statement. [19090]

Mr Vaizey: The Secretary of State has met with existing national broadcasters and other interested parties to discuss local TV. The Government appointed investment banker Nicholas Shott to look at the conditions necessary for commercially viable local TV in the UK and he has met with various interested parties as part of his work. He is due to present his final conclusions by early December.

Health

Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections. [19168]

Anne Milton: The chair of the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (ARHAI) carries out periodic appraisals for each of the ARHAI members. Appointments are reviewed regularly.

However as part of the implementation of the changes to the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs), we will be implementing a periodic review process, of all our significant advisory committees and ANDPBs which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness.

A formal review has not been conducted but the Department's assessment at present, is that ARHAI makes a valuable contribution to developing the evidence base for Government policy.

Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances. [19167]

Mr Simon Burns: The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) has recently undergone a review of its processes and the Department is content that the ACBS is effective.

Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens. [19166]


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Anne Milton: The Department's assessment of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) is that it provides essential and high quality expert scientific advice on all aspects of dangerous pathogens and that there is continuing need for its advice. ACDP also provides advice to the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs and to the Health and Safety Executive. A review of ACDP formed part of the review of the Department's use of science undertaken by the Government Office for Science in 2008. A formal review of the performance of the chairman of ACDP has just been concluded prior to confirmation of his reappointment for a further term.

Departmental sponsors undertake regular performance reviews of the members of ACDP and these form the basis of recommendations for their continued appointment to the committee. The Department is currently reviewing the remit and terms of reference of the ACDP, prior to its reconfiguration as a departmental committee of experts.

Advisory Group on Hepatitis

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Advisory Group on Hepatitis. [19164]

Anne Milton: A review of all members and the Chair of the Advisory Group on Hepatitis (AGH) by the Department's sponsor and Secretariat was conducted in summer 2010. All members and the Chair were assessed on categories such as attendance and scientific contribution at meetings and their support and commitment to the AGH more generally. All members were assessed as either excellent or good in these aspects. The outcome of the review was fed back to members and the Chair individually and a record is held by the Secretariat.

In addition, the AGH prepares an annual report for the Chief Medical Officer which is published and available on the AGH website at:

As part of the implementation of the changes to the Department's advisory non-departmental public body (ANDPB) the Department will be implementing a periodic review process, of all significant advisory committees and ANDPBs which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness.

Alcohol Education and Research Council

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Alcohol Education and Research Council. [19163]

Anne Milton: The Alcohol Education and Research Council (AERC) is an independent body. It has charitable status and administers a fund to support research into the prevention of alcohol-related harm. The Department does not provide any funding for this non-departmental public body.

As set out in the Department's Report of the Arm's Length Bodies Review, the AERC will be abolished as a NDPB and remain as a charity. The decision means it will be free to continue and develop its research programme to inform some of the key questions on alcohol policy.


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Appointments Commission

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Appointments Commission. [19162]

Mr Simon Burns: The Appointments Commission continues to effectively carry out its role in making national health service public appointments.

Cancer: Charities

Andrew Stephenson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department plans to work with cancer charities to promote his Department's Signs and Symptoms campaign. [19128]

Paul Burstow: We are working with a number of cancer charities on the two centrally run regional campaigns and 59 local campaigns that we are supporting to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

We are also keeping a broader range of cancer charities in touch with the plans, giving them opportunities to contribute as they wish.

Care Quality Commission

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of setting up the Care Quality Commission; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of the care home information gathered through its registration process which had already been collected by former social care bodies. [18686]

Paul Burstow: In 2006, the Department announced that the costs of setting up the Care Quality Commission (CQC) would be in the region of £140 million. The Department has since estimated that the costs of setting up the CQC, and winding-up predecessor organisations, were approximately £140 million between 2006-07 and 2009-10.

CQC is independent, and is responsible for developing and implementing its own methodology for assessing providers. It inherited information from its predecessor body, the Commission for Social Care Inspection, and supplemented this with information to assess provider compliance with regulations and make decisions for registration under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. It is not possible to make an estimate of the proportion of registration information gathered by previous bodies.

Mr Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home registrations the Care Quality Commission has (a) lost and (b) failed to process within the target timescale for processing since its inception; and how many complaints regarding the Commission (i) the Commission and (ii) his Department has received in that period from care home providers. [18687]

Paul Burstow: The following information has been provided by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).


25 Oct 2010 : Column 115W

In the period April to September 2010, CQC registered 4,082 providers under the CSA. Of those registrations, 89.3% were processed within the target timescale for completing registration.

At 1 October 2010, CQC had registered 9,400 providers of adult social care under the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (the 2008 Act). All providers that applied within the timeframe were registered.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Mr Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether blood donated by people with myalgic encephalomyelitis will be removed from the blood bank in circumstances in which such donors are found to have the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus. [19310]

Anne Milton: There are no plans to remove from storage blood donated by any donors found to have the xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV).

An expert subgroup of National Expert Panel for New and Emerging Infections (NEPNEI) met in May 2010, to consider all available evidence about XMRV and conduct a risk assessment. The subgroup concluded that XMRV can infect humans but there is currently no evidence that it causes human disease and that on the evidence before the group, no public health action is required at this time. Since the subgroup meeting in May there has been no new scientific evidence that would change the conclusions of the subgroup. In July 2010, the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs, similarly did not recommend further measures at present. Both groups will continue to monitor the situation.

Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence. [19171]

Anne Milton: The Department has nominated a senior official as sponsor of the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence with overall responsibility for oversight of its performance. Assessment is an ongoing process. The Department monitors the arm's length body performance regularly through quarterly accountability meetings, which include an annual review of performance.

In 2009-10, the Department considered the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence's performance to have been good and that their work had made a positive contribution to promoting the health, safety and well-being of patients and other members of the public.


25 Oct 2010 : Column 116W

The Department's Arm's Length Body Review, published on 26 July 2010, concluded that the Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence does currently fulfil an ongoing need to quality assure professional regulation.

Dental Services

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of transferring the commissioning of NHS primary dental care to the NHS Commissioning Board, as referred to in his Department's White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". [18439]

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" set out proposals for fundamental changes to the ways that the national health service is structured and run. The precise costs of transferring the commissioning of NHS primary dental care to the NHS Commissioning Board will not be known until the new organisations that will underpin the new system have been designed in more detail.

Four consultations relating to how the new organisations should be designed-specifically covering "transparency on outcomes, liberating the NHS: local democratic legitimacy in health" and "commissioning for patients and regulating healthcare providers"-have recently closed and once the results of these have been analysed we will publish the costs of the new system in an impact assessment.

A further two consultations on other aspects of reform set out in the White Paper-"specifically an information revolution" and "greater choice and control" have recently been launched and will close in January.

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which body will be responsible for commissioning salaried primary care dental services under the proposals in his Department's White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". [18440]

Mr Simon Burns: Under the proposals set out in the White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS", the NHS Commissioning Board would, subject to the outcome of consultation, be responsible for commissioning primary care dental services. Further details will be available at the introduction of the Health Bill into Parliament, which will follow later this year.

Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what role consultants in dental public health will have in commissioning NHS dentistry under the proposals in his Department's White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS"; [18441]

(2) what role dental practice advisers will have in the structure of the NHS under the proposals in his Department's White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS". [18446]

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" refers to creation of a NHS Commissioning Board and a new Public Health Service, to integrate and streamline existing health improvement. The NHS Commissioning Board will take on responsibility for commissioning national health service primary dental services, while the primary care trusts' responsibilities for local health improvement will
25 Oct 2010 : Column 117W
transfer to local authorities. Local authorities will employ the Director of Public Health jointly appointed with the Public Health Service. To discharge their functions and responsibilities, both the Public Health Service in local authorities and dental service commissioners will need appropriate advice and input from dental public health consultants, dental practice advisers and their teams, working with local clinicians.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has made an estimate of the change in the level of carbon dioxide emissions from his Department since May 2010; and what steps he plans to take to meet his Department's target of reducing such emissions by 10 per cent. by May 2011. [16811]

Mr Simon Burns: The latest data on performance of each Department towards the 10% reduction target are publicly available on the:

website:

Performance data are reported monthly, within four weeks of the month end. The next data release (to the end of September 2010) will be available by the end of October 2010, and similarly published to:

The Department's current estimate of reduction in the level of carbon emissions since May 2010 is just above the 10% required.

Projects under way that will help us meet our target include:

The target of reducing emissions by 10% applies to the three Headquarter buildings in which the Department has direct responsibility for energy use, and those occupied by NHS Connecting for Health and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Departmental Legislation

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many statutory duties were placed on local authorities by legislation introduced by his Department in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [17021]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government are committed to reducing top down burdens on local authorities from
25 Oct 2010 : Column 118W
legislation, guidance and other forms of prescription. The full response to this question could be made only at disproportionate cost.

Doctors: Africa

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors currently working in the NHS gained their primary medical qualification in (a) Malawi and (b) Uganda. [17614]

Mr Simon Burns: The following table sets out the number of doctors working in England, who gained their primary medical qualification in Malawi and Uganda as at 30 September 2009.

All doctors( 1) by country of primary qualification

Number of all doctors( 1)

Malawi

24

Uganda

73

(1) Excludes hospital and community health services medical hospital practitioners and medical clinical assistants, most of whom are general practitioners working part time in hospitals.
Notes:
Information about country of qualification is derived from the General Medical Council. For staff in dental specialties, with a General Dental Council registration, the country of qualification is therefore unknown.
Data Quality:
The NHS Information Centre for health and social care seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data but responsibility for data accuracy lies with the organisations providing the data. Methods are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where changes impact on figures already published, this is assessed but unless it is significant at national level, figures are not changed. Impact at detailed or local level is footnoted in relevant analyses.
Source:
The NHS Information Centre, Medical and Dental Workforce Census.

Drugs: Prisoners

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prisoners participating in detoxification programmes are receiving gradual reduction prescriptions. [19084]

Paul Burstow: None of the prisoners reported as receiving detoxification programmes in 2009-10 had received a gradual reduction prescription. Longer duration treatments, including gradual reduction prescriptions, are reported within the extended prescriptions data collection category.

In 2009-10, 36,323 prisoners received treatment on detoxification programmes of less than 21 days prescribed treatment. In the same period, 23,744 prisoners received treatment on extended detoxification programmes. Since extended programme data include both maintenance and slow reduction treatments, and the proportion of each is not separately identified, we do not know how many prisoners received gradual reduction prescriptions.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of (a) the number of people under the age of (i) 18 and (ii) 16 years who are being prescribed (A) methadone and (B) buprenorphine/subutex and (b) the average dose of each medication prescribed for one such patient. [17092]


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Sarah Teather: I have been asked to reply.

The National Drug Treatment Monitoring System (NDTMS) collects information on the number of young people in specialist substance misuse services in England. 498 young people under the age of 18 received pharmacological interventions in 2008-09. Of these, 66 were under 16 years old. NDTMS does not distinguish between opiate substitute drugs (such as methadone or buprenorphine) and other prescribed drugs (such as Ritalin for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and it is important to note that pharmacological interventions in this context include prescribing for detoxification, stabilisation and symptomatic relief of substance misuse. Information on the doses prescribed is not recorded within NDTMS or held centrally.

Young people's substance misuse is markedly different to that of adults. Young people tend to have shorter histories of substance use and have used lower levels of drugs for shorter periods. They are therefore much less likely to be physically dependent. Just 2% of young people in treatment in 2008-09 were using heroin or crack cocaine as their primary substance. Substitute prescribing for under-18s is therefore rare. Instead, interventions for young people centre on psychosocial counselling-based therapies. Of the 498 young people receiving pharmacological interventions in 2008-09, all but 36 received psychosocial and other interventions as well.

Epilepsy

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent discussions he has had with representatives of epilepsy groups on the future of epilepsy services in the National Health Service; [18690]

(2) whether he plans to take steps to ensure that proposed GP consortia comply with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on services for people with epilepsy; [18692]

(3) what assessment he has made of the ability of proposed GP consortia to commission epilepsy services appropriately. [18693]

Paul Burstow: At the 12 October Westminster Hall debate on epilepsy services, I gave an undertaking to meet with the All-Party Parliamentary Group and patient groups to discuss in more detail some of the issues that were raised during the debate. These meetings are currently being arranged.

Health professionals are expected to take into account National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on epilepsy when providing care for those with epilepsy. This arrangement will continue with the introduction of general practitioner (GP) consortiums.

We will be working to ensure that GP consortiums have the skills to commission effective, and appropriate, services for those living with epilepsy.

Epilepsy: Pregnancy

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to encourage GPs to comply with the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence's recommendation in the proposed Quality and Outcomes Framework for 2011-12 for GPs to talk to women with epilepsy about drug risk during pregnancy. [18691]


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Mr Simon Burns: The indicators recommended for inclusion in the Quality and Outcomes Framework are part of the current national general practitioner contract negotiations between the General Practitioners Committee of the British Medical Association and National Health Service Employers. Discussions between the two parties are currently ongoing.

Expert Advisory Group on AIDS

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS. [19172]

Anne Milton: In terms of ongoing assessment of effectiveness of the Expert Advisory Group on AIDS (EAGA), the chair, secretariat and departmental sponsor last conducted an appraisal of the performance of all of EAGA's members in 2009. Regular meetings are also held to review EAGA's activity and identify future priorities. In addition, the quality and educational benefits of EAGA meetings are evaluated regularly.

As part of the implementation of the changes to the Department's advisory non-departmental public body (ANDPBs), we will be implementing a periodic review process, of all our significant advisory committees and ANDPBs which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness.

General Practitioners: Finance

Damian Hinds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to ensure that payments to GP practices for the improvement of premises are maintained at adequate levels under his proposals to pay such practices according to a formula based on capitation and patient list size. [19044]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government are committed to working towards fair and equitable arrangements for all elements of general practitioner funding, including support for premises.

We will discuss these issues with the profession over the coming period.

Genetics and Insurance Committee

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Genetics and Insurance Committee. [19157]

Anne Milton: There has been no recent assessment made of the performance of the Genetics and Insurance Committee.

As part of the implementation of the changes to the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies (ANDPBs), the Department will be implementing a periodic review process (three yearly), of all our significant advisory committees and ANDPBs which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness. Wherever possible this will be conducted by an independent expert.

Health Protection Agency

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Health Protection Agency. [19156]


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Anne Milton: The Health Protection Agency (HPA) submits quarterly performance reports to the Department against an annually agreed business plan. Departmental officials meet regularly with the HPA throughout the year. An annual accountability review is held to discuss the HPA's performance against key targets. The HPA continues to provide a good performance in its vital work of protecting the public health.

Health Services

Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans the NHS Commissioning Board has to adopt the third edition of the Specialised Services National Definitions Set. [19455]

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" set out the Government's intention that the NHS Commissioning Board will commission national specialised services and regional specialised services set out in the Specialised Services National Definitions Set. The consultation on these proposals, which closed on 11 October, asked for views on whether any of the services currently commissioned as regional specialised services could potentially in the future be commissioned by general practitioner consortia. The consultation responses are currently being analysed.

Hepatitis C: Ealing

Mr Virendra Sharma: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of hepatitis C were diagnosed in Ealing, Southall constituency in each year since 2007. [19075]

Anne Milton: Data collected by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) do not collect laboratory confirmed cases of hepatitis C by constituency as this is not a routine data output.

However, the HPA published hepatitis C diagnosed cases by region for each year from 1995 to 2008 in its annual report(1). The totals for London region were 1,016 cases (2007) and 972 cases (2008).

A total of 8,812 cases of hepatitis C were reported in 2009 in England and Wales(2).

Regional data will be available shortly.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. [19154]

Anne Milton: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) is held to account through quarterly review meetings and an annual review of performance with the departmental sponsor team.

The Government are of the view that the HFEA has discharged its statutory functions effectively.


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Human Genetics Commission

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Human Genetics Commission. [19153]

Anne Milton: In 2008, the Department published a review of the Human Genetics Commission. The review's findings are available on the Department's website at:

Human Tissue Authority

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Human Tissue Authority. [19152]

Anne Milton: The Human Tissue Authority (HTA) is held to account through quarterly review meetings and an annual review of performance with the departmental sponsor team.

The Government are of the view that the HTA has discharged its statutory functions effectively.

Independent Review Panels: Performance

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Independent Review Panel on the Advertising of Medicines; [19149]

(2) what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products; [19150]

(3) what recent assessment he has made of the performance of the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee; [19155]

(4) what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Advisory Committee on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections; [19169]

(5) what his most recent assessment is of the performance of the Committee on the Safety of Devices. [19170]

Mr Simon Burns: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) keeps the assessment of the performance of both the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee and the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products under continuous review and holds regular meetings with its chairmen. In addition annual appraisals of the respective chairmen are held. This process will remain unchanged.

The Independent Review Panel on the Advertising of Medicines and the Independent Review Panel for the classification of Borderline Products meet infrequently and as a result no formal recent assessment has been made of performance. Reports on the activities of these bodies are approved by Ministers and presented to Parliament annually.

MHRA holds regular meetings with the chairman of the Committee on the Safety of Devices to review progress and effectiveness of the advice given and the actions proposed by this committee.


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Medical Treatments

Mr Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence plans to consult on the proposed protocol to be used to determine whether it assesses products, services and technologies for rare conditions or refers them to the Advisory Group on National Specialised Services. [18430]

Mr Simon Burns: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is currently working with the secretariat of the Advisory Group for National Specialised Services (AGNSS) to develop a set of protocols which will set out the circumstances in which NICE will suggest treatments for very rare conditions for consideration by AGNSS. We understand that NICE has no plans to consult separately on the protocols although they will be incorporated into its "Topic Selection Guide for Technology Appraisals" which is reviewed and consulted on periodically.

Mental Illness

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department issues on the use of neuroleptics in the management of psychosis-related conditions. [18932]

Paul Burstow: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published guidance on the treatment of schizophrenia in March 2009, which includes guidelines on the use of neuroleptics. The guidance can be seen on the institute's website at:

Minor Injuries Units: Closures

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received on the potential closure of small injuries units at community hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [19134]

Mr Simon Burns: We are aware of no recent representations on the potential closure of small injuries units at community hospitals, other than those made by my hon. Friend in two recent pieces of correspondence with the Department and a further two parliamentary questions.

As set out in the recent White Paper, the Government are committed to devolving power to local communities where the people, patients, general practitioners (GPs) and councils are best placed to determine improvements in their local national health service. Any changes to services must have support from GP commissioners, patients and the public, be based on sound clinical evidence and support patient choice.

National Joint Registry Steering Committee

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the National Joint Registry Steering Committee in carrying out its functions. [19200]


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Mr Simon Burns: The National Joint Registry Steering Committee has played an important role in driving forward a programme of work that has made the National Joint Registry one of the leading device registries in the world.

As part of the implementation of the changes to the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies, we will be implementing a periodic review of all our significant advisory committees, which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness, and will be conducted, whenever possible, by an independent expert.

NHS: Charities

Simon Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the amount of money donated to NHS institutions through charitable giving in (a) Norfolk and (b) England in each of the last five years. [19125]

Paul Burstow: The Department does not collect or hold the information requested. They are available from the individual charity accounts, also held by the Charity Commission.

The Regulatory Reform (National Health Service Charitable and Non-Charitable Trust Accounts and Audit) Order 2005 came into effect on 31 March 2005.

The Order removed the requirement whereby most NHS bodies in England and Wales were required to prepare two separate sets of accounts-one to the Department (or National Assembly for Wales) and the other to the Charity Commission.

The requirement to submit two separate accounts was a requirement that had been in place since the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 1995 came into force. Related costs had to be met by the charitable funds themselves which reduced the benefits they provided.

The Regulatory Reform Order removed this dual accounting burden by requiring NHS bodies to submit the accounts of their charitable funds only to the Charity Commission.

NHS: Drugs

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much the NHS has spent on medicinal drugs in each of the last five years; and how much he expects it to spend in the next two years. [18599]

Mr Simon Burns: Medicinal drugs expenditure includes national health service expenditure in primary care and the Hospital and Community Health Service (HCHS). Primary care expenditure reflects amounts paid to pharmacy and appliance contractors and amounts authorised for dispensing doctors and personal administration in England. HCHS expenditure includes medical gases and drugs prescribed in hospitals but dispensed in the community. The following table provides details of NHS expenditure on medicinal drugs in each of the last five years:


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NHS medicinal drugs expenditure

£ million

2005-06

9,999

2006-07

10,562

2007-08

10,937

2008-09

11,397

2009-10

11,920

Sources: Prescription Pricing Division of the NHS Business services Authority, England, Department of Health Finance Division, Foundation Trust year-end accounts.

The table shows direct primary care trust (PCT) drugs expenditure and indirect drugs expenditure arising through PCT commissioning activities. Revenue allocations are made to PCTs, which include funding for drugs although this is not identified separately. Decisions on expenditure are made locally based on local needs and priorities. The Department does not publish forecasts of future levels of drugs expenditure.

NHS: EU Nationals

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department takes to ensure that people coming from other EU member states to work in the NHS have (a) adequate English language skills and (b) the relevant required level of clinical expertise. [19424]

Anne Milton: Under automatic recognition procedures provided for by Directive 2005/36/EC, the relevant competent authority is required to check that a health or social care professional from the European economic area (EEA) applying for inclusion on its register holds a recognised qualification, listed in the directive that has been issued by an EEA competent authority. Under the general system procedures the competent authority is required to check the qualifications of the incoming migrant on a case by case basis to ensure that the qualifications held meet the minimum requirements set by the competent authority. Identity checks and character references may be undertaken, but the regulators may not apply additional checks other than those provided for by the directive at the point of registration.

We understand that the healthcare professions regulatory bodies cannot test the language skills of migrant workers from the EEA before registering them because of the restriction in the directive. Registration depends on whether or not the migrant has the appropriate qualification to practice their profession. It does not mean that a professional has demonstrated that he or she is fit to do a particular job in a particular place.

An employer or a contracting authority should satisfy themselves of a candidate's skills and competencies, including their ability to communicate to the required standard for the post. Clear guidance has been issued to national health service bodies on this issue, which applies equally where a candidate is from the EEA.

Following the recent Health Select Committee's report on the use of overseas doctors in providing out-of-hours services the Government will explore whether there is a more effective system for undertaking checks on the language knowledge of primary care practitioners.

Once registered, a health or social care professional is bound to observe the professional standards set by the relevant healthcare regulatory body and action against any breaches of those standards could be taken against an EEA professional as normal.


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Nurses: Africa

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses currently working in the NHS gained their primary medical qualification in (a) Malawi and (b) Uganda. [17613]

Anne Milton: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) collects data on the number of admissions to the NMC register by overseas country. The number of nurses admitted to the register in the year ending 31 March 2008 is shown in the following table.

Number

Malawi

3

Uganda

4


Nurses: EU Nationals

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures his Department follows to establish whether nurses and midwives from other EU member states have sufficient English language skills to practise in England. [19487]

Anne Milton: The Department has no direct role in establishing whether nurses and midwives from other European Union member states have sufficient language skills to practise in England.

Under the recognition procedures provided for by Directive 2005/36/EC the Nursing and Midwifery Council (as the competent authority for nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom) is required to check that professionals from the European economic area applying for inclusion on its register hold a recognised qualification listed in the directive or that the qualification they hold meets the minimum standard they set.

Post registration it is for employers and contracting bodies to ensure that any nurses or midwives they employ or contract with have the necessary skills and competencies (including language competence) for the job.

Prescriptions: Fees and Charges

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for the implementation of his proposal to introduce free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions. [19496]

Mr Simon Burns: The Government announced in the Spending Review that some programmes proposed by the previous Government will not be taken forward. This includes free prescriptions for people with long-term conditions. This decision does not affect the medical conditions that are exempt under the current system. We will continue to look at options for creating a fairer system of prescription charges and exemptions in England, taking into account the overall national health service financial context.

Primary Care Trusts

Shabana Mahmood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the initial costs incurred in respect of ending primary care trusts and replacing them with GP consortia in (a) England and (b) Birmingham. [18545]


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Yvonne Fovargue: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the initial costs likely to be incurred in respect of ending primary care trusts and replacing them with GP consortia in (a) England and (b) Wigan. [19029]

Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS" set out proposals for fundamental changes to the ways that the national health service is structured and run.

The precise costs, at both national and local level, of the abolition of primary care trusts and the advent of general practitioner consortia will not be known until the new organisations that will underpin the new system have been designed in more detail.

Four consultations relating to how the new organisations should be designed-specifically covering "transparency on outcomes, liberating the NHS: local democratic legitimacy in health" and "commissioning for patients and regulating healthcare providers"-have recently closed and once the results of these have been analysed we will publish the costs of the new system in an impact assessment.

A further two consultations on other aspects of reform set out in the White Paper-specifically "an information revolution" and "greater choice and control" have recently been launched and will close in January.

Dr Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements he has made for the proposed phasing out of primary care trusts. [19194]

Mr Simon Burns: Under the proposals in the White Paper, "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS", primary care trusts (PCTs) will be abolished from April 2013. By this time, there would be a comprehensive system of general practitioner (GP) consortia with statutory responsibility for commissioning most national health service health care services and an independent NHS Commissioning Board whose responsibilities would include commissioning those health care services for which GP consortia are not responsible. This proposed timetable is designed to enable emerging consortia to work on a collaborative basis with PCTs during the period up to April 2013 to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.

Analysis of the consultation on the implementation of the proposals set out in the White Paper is currently under way. The Government response will be published in due course.

Radiotherapy

Gavin Barwell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS patients who receive radiotherapy were treated with IMRT or GRT in the latest period for which figures are available. [18616]

Paul Burstow: It is currently not possible to identify Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy or Image Guided Radiotherapy from other forms of radiotherapy treatment within the Hospital Episode Statistics available to the Department.

The Department is working with the national health service to implement a National Radiotherapy Dataset to support the implementation of the commitment that,
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by December 2010, no patient should wait longer than 31 days for subsequent radiotherapy, as set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy.

The National Radiotherapy Dataset project team is working with providers to improve collection of data on IMRT and Adaptive Radiotherapy (which covers IGRT) using standard OPCS-4.5 (which has introduced codes for these interventions) clinical coding conventions. However, as with the introduction of new codes, the data entry levels and quality need to improve before the reported activity can be validated. Release of the radiotherapy dataset is governed by Radiotherapy Clinical Information Group, part of National Radiotherapy Advisory Group. April 2011 is the proposed date.

Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition in carrying out its functions. [19199]

Anne Milton: As part of the implementation of the changes resulting from the Department's advisory non-departmental public bodies review, we will be implementing a three yearly review process of all our significant advisory committees, including the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which will incorporate an assessment of performance and effectiveness.

Swine Flu: Vaccination

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has (a) commissioned or (b) evaluated research on a potential link between the swine influenza vaccine and the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome. [18525]

Anne Milton: The association between swine flu vaccine and Guillain-Barre syndrome is being continuously assessed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This assessment is based on review of individual case reports as well as epidemiological studies conducted across Europe from the start of the immunisation campaign to investigate any association. This includes a study from the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit funded by the Department.

Epidemiological studies are ongoing to further assess this possible association and MHRA will carefully evaluate such data in conjunction with other European member states.

Waste Disposal: Health Hazards

Mrs Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research his Department has (a) commissioned, (b) evaluated and (c) conducted on the potential effects on health of emissions from energy from waste plants. [18096]

Richard Benyon: I have been asked to reply.

DEFRA has commissioned the following research on the potential effects on health of emissions from energy from waste plants:

"Review of Environmental and Health Effects of Waste Management: Municipal Solid Waste and Similar
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Wastes", by Enviros Consulting Ltd and university of Birmingham with Risk and Policy Analysts Ltd, Open university and Maggie Thurgood. This was evaluated through peer review by the Royal Society and published in 2004.

"Emissions from Waste Management Facilities: Frameworks for Assessment of Data Quality and Research Needs (WR0608)", by Environmental Resources Management Ltd. This is due to be published later this year following evaluation by peer review.

"Exposure-response relationships for bioaerosol emissions from waste treatment processes (WR0606)" by the Institute of Occupational Medicine. This was evaluated through peer review by a bioaerosols expert and was published in 2009.

Further information on this research can be found on the DEFRA website at:

The Environment Agency recently commissioned a review of the health effects of combustion processes, including incineration, and expects to publish a report by the end of the year.

Business, Innovation and Skills

Business

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of its staff who have run a small business employing fewer than 10 people (a) in and (b) outside the South East. [18895]

Mr Davey: This information is not recorded centrally in BIS.

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many representatives of small businesses serve on (a) boards of and (b) advisory committees associated with his Department. [18896]

Mr Davey: Details of members of the boards of the Department's public bodies (including advisory NDPBs) are not held centrally, and can be found on the website of the body or in their annual report and accounts.

The Public Bodies Report 2010, showing the list of BIS's public bodies as at 31 March, is due to be published towards the end of November.

Lists of the public bodies of BERR and DIUS, as at 31 March 2009, are available at the following links:

In addition we have four ad hoc advisory groups. The number of small business representatives on each of these are as follows:


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Conditions of Employment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the (a) time and (b) financial costs to small businesses incurred in observing the statutory duty to consider Right to Request requests from employees. [18904]

Mr Davey: We estimate that two hours of employee time, and three hours of management time are required to process a request that is dealt with formally. This works out at approximately £62 per request.

Where a request is appealed we estimate four hours of employee time and six hours of management time to process an appeal that is dealt with formally. This works out at approximately £123 per appeal.

We have assumed that these costs apply to all sizes of business at the same rate.

Credit Reference Agencies

Alun Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has had recent discussions with credit reference agencies on the process for correcting inaccurately recorded data. [19419]

Mr Davey: There have been no recent discussions with credit reference agencies on this matter.

If the credit information held on file is incorrect, consumers are advised to write to the credit reference agency or direct to the lender. The agency is under a statutory obligation to inform the consumer within 28 days if it has removed the entry from the file, amended the entry or taken no action. If, after writing to the lender or the credit reference agency, the information is still wrong or no response is received, the consumer is advised to contact the Information Commissioner.

Earlier this year credit reference agencies agreed a package of measures designed to improve consumers' access to and understanding of their credit reference files. I announced this on 12 July 2010.

Data Protection: EU Countries

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent progress has been made on developing a secure communications system based on quantum cryptography for data transmission to and from EU Member States. [16665]

Nick Herbert: I have been asked to reply.

Quantum cryptography as a basis for data transmission is being developed mainly within academia but also by a small number of commercial companies in Europe. It is not a fully mature technology and there are no immediate plans for the UK Government to develop a secure communications system for data transmission to and from EU member states based on it. Communications between EU member states are currently protected by Government approved cryptographic codes. There are currently no approved cryptographic codes using quantum cryptography for data transmission nor any immediate prospect of any being submitted for approval.


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Departmental Internet

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what consideration his Department has given to increasing the accessibility and attractiveness to small businesses of its website. [18915]

Mr Davey: The BIS corporate website serves a broad range of audiences, with businesses comprising around 20% of visitors. The sections of the site of most interest to small businesses are 'Policies: Enterprise and business support' and 'Policies: Employment matters'.

The 'Enterprise and business support' and 'Employment matters' sections of the site have recently been reviewed and reorganised to simplify access to the information they contain on policy, legislation and services. They also provide clear signposting to Business Link guidance where relevant.

More generally, BIS is continuously reviewing its web content and structure to make the site more accessible and engaging for all users.

In line with the cross-Government channel strategy, content that provides practical guidance to small businesses has moved from the BIS website to the Business Link site, which is the official Government website for businesses.

Departmental Sick Leave

Mike Freer: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for how many days on average his Department's staff in each pay grade were absent from work as a result of ill health in 2009-10. [18565]

Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was created on Friday 5 June 2009 from the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) which ceased to exist from that date.

In line with Cabinet Office requirements, BIS publishes information about staff sickness absence on a quarterly basis. The latest return showing absence between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 is available on the BIS website at:

This includes information about the average number of working days lost to sickness at each grade during this period. The average figure across all BIS staff is 3.8 working days lost.

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many days his Department has lost to staff sickness in each year since his Department's inception; and what estimate he made of the cost to his Department of sickness absence in each such year. [18776]

Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was created on Friday 5 June 2009 from the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) which ceased to exist from that date.


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In line with Cabinet Office requirements, BIS publishes information about staff sickness absence on a quarterly basis. The latest return showing absence between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 is available on the BIS website at:

This shows that 13,036 days have been lost to sickness during this period.

No central information is held about the cost of sickness absence in BIS; however, information about absence costs in the wider civil service is available in reports published by the Cabinet office from 2003 to 2007. These can be viewed at:

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many officials in his Department have had (a) fewer than five days, (b) five to 10 days, (c) 10 to 15 days, (d) 15 to 20 days, (e) 20 to 25 days, (f) 25 to 50 days, (g) 50 to 75 days, (h) 75 to 100 days, (i) 100 to 150 days, (j) 150 to 200 days, (k) more than 200 days, (l) more than three months, (m) more than six months and (n) one year on paid sick leave (i) consecutively and (ii) in total in each year since his Department's inception. [18777]

Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) was created on Friday 5 June 2009 from the merger of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) which ceased to exist from that date.

Detailed breakdowns of absences within BIS are not centrally available; however, on a quarterly basis, in line with Cabinet Office requirements, we publish quarterly absence data on the BIS website. This includes the numbers of days lost to long-term absence (more than 21 working days), and short-term absence over the last 12 months; and the number of staff with no absence at all over the period. The latest return showing absence between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 is available on the BIS website at:

Departmental Work Experience

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many interns his Department has engaged in the last 12 months; and how many were (a) unpaid, (b) remunerated with expenses only and (c) paid a salary. [17216]

Mr Davey: This Department has employed about 23 interns and summer placement students in the last 12 months. All interns are paid either a training allowance or the basic pay for the grade of work they are doing.

Employment

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills for what employment legislation his Department is responsible; and what progress has been made on the Government's proposed review of employment law. [18912]


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Mr Davey: BIS is responsible for a number of areas of employment regulation. These include the national minimum wage (NMW), working time, age discrimination, dispute resolution, trade union law and family-friendly policy.

We are considering employment regulations area by area, over the long-term, and we have started to engage with interested parties as part of the review process. We expect to make an announcement on progress in the coming weeks.

Flexible Working

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate his Department has made of the cost to small businesses of the extension of the right to request flexible working. [18903]

Mr Davey: On 30 September I announced the extension to the right to request flexible working to all parents of children aged 17, from the 1 April 2011. I have published a full impact assessment on this extension. The overall cost to small businesses of this extension is estimated at around £1 million per annum. This estimate assumes that the additional take-up rate of flexible working is the same across all firm sizes.

I have not yet made an estimate for the extension to the right to request flexible working to all employees, but I will publish an impact assessment on the extension alongside the consultation document.

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans he has to bring forward further proposals for the right to request flexible working; [18905]

(2) what progress is being made on his Department's consultation on extending the right to request flexible working to all employees; [18909]

(3) what steps he is taking to consult small businesses on his proposals on the right to request flexible working. [18910]

Mr Davey: I plan to consult on the extension to the right to request flexible working to all employees in due course.

I will make the consultation document available to small business employers alongside all other interested parties.

On 15 September I ran a round table event at No. 10 to discuss consultation plans with a number of employers and representative groups. This event included a number of small business employers.

Foreign Investment in UK

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect on foreign direct investment in the UK of the application of UK and EU employment law. [18906]

Mr Davey: Employment legislation in the UK is constructed in a way that allows the greatest freedom for business and workers to find types and patterns of work that suit them while still maintaining universal basic minimum rights.


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The employment regulation regime is one of the factors behind the success of the UK labour market and this is recognised by a number of international measures including the World Economic Forum's "Labour Market Efficiency" indicator (which ranks the UK eighth out of 139 countries) and the World Bank's Doing Business "Employing Workers" indicator (ranking the UK 35th out of 183 countries).

Furthermore the OECD in its seminal Jobs Study Review in 2006 identified the UK as one of the 'successful employment performers' and, despite the recession, the UK still has one of the highest employment rates in the world. Across the OECD, its "Employment Protection Legislation" indicator ranks the UK second only behind the US. This feature has worked in tandem with the Government's welfare to work policies. The Government's proposals for work programme and benefit reform aim to enhance these welfare to work policies.

The UK is rated as the best location in the European Union for the attraction of foreign skills(1) and a survey by Manpower conducted in 2009 found that companies in the UK have fewer difficulties in recruiting skilled workers than in most other European locations.

The UK is the number one recipient in Europe of FDI projects(2). The UK is also the most attractive destination in Europe for FDI, according to the Ernst and Young European Attractiveness Survey 2010.

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he has assessed the effect on inward investment of the introduction of additional paternity leave. [18907]

Mr Davey: A full impact assessment of the costs and benefits to businesses of additional paternity leave was made prior to the introduction of regulations. No assessment was made of the indirect effect on inward investment.

The impact assessment can be found at:

Further Education

Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to implement his proposal to introduce student loans for people taking courses at further education colleges; and if he will make a statement. [19497]

Mr Hayes: As set out in the spending review announcement on 20 October 2010, for adult further education and skills training the balance of funding will be shifted from the taxpayer towards the individuals and employers who benefit, including though the introduction of student loans The Department is considering the outcomes of the spending review alongside the responses to the recent consultation Skills for Sustainable Growth, which asked for views on the development of a new skills strategy. The outcomes of this will be published later in the autumn.


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Higher Education and Student Finance Independent Review

Teresa Pearce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposals in the Browne review of higher education on future graduates who are (a) men and (b) women. [18688]

Mr Willetts: Lord Browne conducted an independent review of higher education funding and student finance which was published on 12 October. The Government have accepted the broad thrust of the recommendations and will undertake their own equality assessment which we will publish alongside the Higher Education White Paper during the winter.

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will estimate the number of universities which will be in operation 12 months after the implementation of the proposals of the Browne Review of higher education. [18848]

Mr Willetts: We have no reliable evidence on which to make such an estimate. Our reforms to higher education will provide strong incentives for institutions to focus on providing high quality teaching as efficiently as possible. Over time, popular and successful institutions will be able to grow and we expect new providers to enter the sector providing they can offer teaching to the high standards students will expect. HEFCE will monitor the financial health and sustainability of institutions to protect the public investment in higher education. But HEIs are autonomous institutions and, if a university mismanages its affairs, we cannot offer a guarantee of protection.

Higher Education: Admissions

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) how many people resident in each parliamentary constituency applied to each higher education institution in each of the last five years for which information is available; [19107]

(2) how many people resident in each parliamentary constituency applied to enter an undergraduate course at each higher education institution in each of the last five years for which information is available; [19108]

(3) how many undergraduate students normally resident in each parliamentary constituency were accepted to each higher education institution in each of the last five years for which information is available. [19109]

Mr Willetts: Information on applicants and accepted applicants by individual institution is held by UCAS. UCAS does not issue data by higher education institutions as this is the subject of a confidentiality agreement between UCAS and the institutions.

Information on the total number of applicants and accepted applicants, produced by UCAS, will be placed in the Libraries of the House.


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Higher Education: Curriculum

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans he has for the future of the funding currently allocated by regional development agencies to strategically important and vulnerable subjects; [18870]

(2) what assessment he has made of the effects of the implementation of the proposed reform of non-departmental public bodies on levels of support for strategically important and vulnerable subjects; [18871]

(3) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the level of funding for strategically important and vulnerable subjects in each of the next three years; [18872]

(4) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the level of funding for high-cost science subjects in each of the next three years; [18873]

(5) what assessment he has made of the contribution of strategically important and vulnerable subjects to economic growth; [18874]

(6) what estimate he has made of the likely change in the level of funding for each strategically important and vulnerable subject as a proportion of the total budget allocated to such subjects in each of the next three years; [18875]

(7) what factors he took into account when allocating funding for strategically important and vulnerable subjects; [18876]

(8) what proportion of the cost of courses in strategically and important vulnerable subjects in universities was covered by (a) central Government and (b) tuition fees in the most recent period for which figures are available. [18877]

Mr Willetts: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) is charged with distributing teaching grant to higher education institutions according to a methodology it determines. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State plays no part in the discharge of that function. He cannot direct the amount of grant to be awarded to any particular subject or institution. In broad terms the funding system is designed to recognise the relative costs of teaching. Each subject is allocated to one of four price groups A to D. The range of teaching grant per full time equivalent undergraduate student ranges from £15,804 in group A to £3,951 in group D. In addition institutions receive fees of up to £3,290 per student per year. So for example the fee would cover 45% of the cost of a price group D course such as business studies, whereas the fee would cover 17% of the cost of a group A course such as medicine. Once allocated to a price group all subjects in that are treated equally in terms of the allocation of core teaching grant.

The right hon. Member the then Secretary of State wrote to HEFCE in 2004 seeking advice on which subjects are of such national and strategic importance that without additional support they may not survive through the usual operation of the market in student applications. Those courses currently identified as Strategically Important or Vulnerable Subjects (SIVS) are:


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Advances in science and technology are key to UK economic growth and social prosperity. To achieve long-term progress, the UK relies on a strong base of science and engineering skills at all levels within the population and a healthy and thriving research base.

However, it should be noted that not all Science Technology Engineering and Maths courses (STEM) are designated as SIVS. Equally SIVS status does not necessarily indicate that a subject is expensive to deliver. Foreign languages and maths are in price group C for example.

HEFCE has chosen to support SIVS through a series of projects and initiatives aimed at maintaining entry to these subjects and building capacity in the higher education sector. The total amount of funding since 2005/06 is £350 million.

Future funding will be dependent upon the outcome of the spending review for higher education and the Regional Development Agencies. It will inform my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's annual grant letter to HEFCE which will set the level of funding for 2011-12 and the allocations to the Regional Development Agencies in the same period.

The Browne Review recommended that future public funding of higher education should concentrate on priority subject areas. In addition it recommended changes to the bodies currently funding and regulating the system. The Government will respond to these and the other recommendations in its forthcoming Higher Education White Paper.

Human Rights

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he made of the cost to his Department and its non-departmental public bodies of compliance with (a) domestic, (b) European and (c) other international human rights requirements in each year since his Department's inception; and if he will make a statement. [18772]

Mr Davey: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) does not collate information on the costs of compliance with human rights requirements. The Department takes account of the domestic and international human rights framework in developing all its policies and practices, as it does other relevant legal obligations; an accurate estimate of the total cost of compliance with human rights obligations could not be made without incurring disproportionate cost.

Internet

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on ensuring that all internet service providers have (a) equal access to fibre optic cables and (b) equal opportunities to lay new cables. [18528]

Mr Vaizey: BT Openreach runs the access part of network and provides a service to communication providers (CPs) on an equivalent basis.


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On 7 October 2010, Ofcom, the independent regulator for the UK communications industry issued a statement ("Review of the wholesale local access market") which introduced new regulatory obligations on BT.

In particular, BT is required to supply wholesale access to its new fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) and fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) networks to other providers so that they can offer competing services to consumers. Given the current economic and technical circumstances, this wholesale access will take the form of a virtual access connection.

In addition, BT will be required to open up its duct and pole infrastructure so that other providers can deploy their own fibre access networks.

These two new regulatory obligations are intended to support both competition and investment in superfast broadband services.

Media

Tristram Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to encourage plurality in the media market. [19063]

Mr Vaizey: I have been asked to reply.

The Government believe it is important for the media to reflect different viewpoints at the national level and to safeguard democratic debate. Plurality in the media market is protected by promoting effective competition in relevant markets and regulating mergers to ensure they do not result in a loss of such competition. Statutory rules enforced by Ofcom separately place absolute restrictions on cross media ownership. Exceptionally, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills may intervene in a media merger to address concerns about the need to maintain plurality in media ownership.

Mobile Telephone Contracts

Ian Swales: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent representations he has received on cooling-off periods for mobile telephone contracts; and if he will make a statement. [19120]

Mr Vaizey: I have received no recent representations. Contracts are normally enforceable from the time they are concluded and statutory cooling off periods are provided only in exceptional circumstances where consumers may be in a particularly vulnerable position, for example, when making contracts in their home or at a distance. There are no statutory cooling off periods specifically related to the purchase of mobile phones.

North of England

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many visits (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have made to (i) Skipton and Ripon constituency, (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber and (iii) the North of England since May 2010. [18897]

Mr Davey: The Department's Ministers have undertaken 17 trips in total to the north of England during the period 12 May to 22 October 2010.


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Details of trips to the north of England undertaken by the Department's officials could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development: Human Rights

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the Government's policy was on the proposed incorporation of human rights standards into the revised Organisation of Economic Corporation and Development Common Approaches at the meeting of that organisation in Paris on 23 and 24 June 2010. [17003]

Mr Davey: The 2007 OECD Council Recommendation on Common Approaches on the Environment and Officially Supported Export Credits (the Common Approaches) already includes the need for member Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) to review the human rights impacts of projects they are asked to support which fall within the ambit of the Recommendation. When undertaking a review, ECAs are required to benchmark projects against the relevant aspects of the World Bank Safeguard Policies which cover human rights issues such as indigenous peoples and involuntary resettlement or where appropriate the Performance Standards of the International Finance Corporation which cover aspects of human rights such as labour and working conditions, community health and safety and security, land acquisition and involuntary settlement and indigenous peoples.

The Government are supporting work being undertaken by the OECD in its current review of the Common Approaches to examine the scope for developing further the assessment of human rights impacts of projects supported by the ECAs, which will help inform the content of a new Common Approaches agreement. ECGD is participating in that review.

Overseas Trade: Mongolia

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the monetary value was of (a) imports from and (b) exports to Mongolia of goods and services in each UK sector in each of the last five years. [19269]

Mr Prisk: This information requested on UK exports and imports of goods with Mongolia in each sector between 2005-09, as well as the total for UK imports and exports with Mongolia for 2008-09 will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Parental Leave: EU Law

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps his Department plans to take to implement the provisions of the EU Parental Leave Directive. [18890]

Mr Davey: The Parental Leave Directive implements a social partner framework agreement on Parental Leave. The UK implemented the original EU Parental Leave Directive (96/34/EC) in 1999. Following the European Social Partners' revision of the framework agreement, a revised EU Parental Leave Directive (2010/18/EU) which was adopted by the European Council in March 2010.


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The Government will implement the provisions of the revised Directive as part of our coalition commitment to a system of flexible shared parental leave. We will be consulting on this system in due course.

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what assessment his Department has made on the effect on small businesses of implementation of the EU Parental Leave Directive. [18891]

Mr Davey: The Parental Leave Directive implements a social partner framework agreement on Parental Leave. The UK implemented the original EU Parental Leave Directive (96/34/EC) in 1999. Following the European Social Partners' revision of the framework agreement, a revised EU Parental Leave Directive (2010/18/EU) which was adopted by the European Council in March 2010.

In November 2009 the Department for Business Innovation and Skills prepared an Impact Assessment of the implications of the revised Directive, including on small firms. This document is available through the following link:

Paternity Leave

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2010, Official Report, column 335W, on paternity leave, what criteria his Department will use to determine whether shared paternal leave works for businesses; what method his Department used to estimate the proportion of small businesses to be affected by the introduction of additional paternity leave; what criteria were used to determine whether a small business would be affected; and when his Department proposes to (a) open and (b) close the consultation on its proposals for additional paternity leave. [18900]

Mr Davey: We will consult in due course on plans to introduce shared parental leave, listening to employers and employer representatives' views on how we can best meet the needs of affected businesses.

A full impact assessment, including methodology used to calculate the proportion of small businesses that would be affected by additional paternity leave, is available at

Additional paternity leave regulations came into effect in April 2010 for parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011. We have no further proposals on additional paternity leave on which to consult.

Retirement: Age

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (1) what plans his Department has to consult on the ending of the default retirement age; what the likely timetable is for such consultation; and what plans he has to consult small businesses; [18908]

(2) what assessment his Department has undertaken of the effect on small businesses of the end of the default retirement age. [18923]


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Mr Davey: A consultation on our proposals for phasing out the default retirement age commenced on 29 July. The consultation document incorporates the impact assessment which considers the impact on small firms. The closing date for the consultation was 21 October.

Alongside the consultation process, input is being provided by a standing stakeholder engagement group. Members include organisations representing employers, including small business, for example the Federation of Small Businesses and the British Chambers of Commerce.

Royal Mail

Mr Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will take steps to ensure that Royal Mail (a) retains its name and (b) is able to retain its Royal Charter in circumstances in which it is sold to an overseas buyer. [19265]

Mr Davey: The Government believe that Royal Mail should continue to retain its name and other royal associations as it will continue to be the provider of the universal postal service throughout the UK.

We appreciate that there may be concerns about the potential for misuse of these associations in the future, so we propose to put in place safeguards to ensure that they are used respectfully and appropriately at all times and that mechanisms exist to remove these privileges if necessary.

The Government are discussing these matters with the palace.

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether he plans to make it a condition of the sale of Royal Mail that the name Royal Mail be retained in perpetuity; and if he will make a statement. [19280]

Mr Davey: The Government consider that any buyer of Royal Mail, for commercial reasons and in recognition of the company's heritage, would wish to continue to use the name without the need for any conditions to be placed on them.

We do, however, recognise that there may be concerns about the potential for misuse of the name and other Royal associations if Royal Mail in the future, so we propose to put in place safeguards to ensure that they are used respectfully and appropriately at all times and that mechanisms exist to remove these privileges if necessary.


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