| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
16 Nov 2010 : Column 754W—continued
Mental Health: Curriculum
Mr Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what support his Department provides for the inclusion of mental health education within the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement; [21865]
(2) if he will ensure that mental health education is provided within the school curriculum; and if he will make a statement. [21864]
Mr Gibb: Currently mental health education is included in the non-statutory programmes of study for Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. This covers learning about the characteristics of emotional and mental health, and the causes, symptoms and treatments of some mental and emotional health disorders. Pupils should be taught how physical, mental and emotional health affects our ability to lead fulfilling lives. The programmes of study give teachers a framework for teaching, creating scope to tailor the subject to meet the needs of their students.
The Department does not provide specific support to schools for the inclusion of mental health education within the curriculum. However, schools usually seek support from local partners and other organisations to help them to teach about mental health.
We want all young people to benefit from high quality PSHE and are considering how best to ensure this while retaining discretion for schools to decide how to approach often sensitive issues.
Public Expenditure: Greater London
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what his Department's capital expenditure per head was in (a) London and (b) the North West in each of the last five years. [21451]
Tim Loughton: Based on information compiled by the Department for the most recent Country and Regional Analysis exercise the expenditure per head for these two regions is as follows:
| Outturn | Plans | ||||
| Region | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 |
The Country and Regional Analysis is a yearly exercise that departments participate in that allocates departmental spending to regions based on who benefits from that spending, not necessarily on where the spending takes place.
The most recent exercise culminated in the publication of the Public expenditure Statistical Analyses Command Paper (PESA 2010, CM 7890).
David Mowat: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how much and what proportion of his Department's capital expenditure was allocated to (a) London and (b) the North West in each of the last five financial years. [21465]
Tim Loughton: Based on information compiled by the Department for the most recent Country and Regional Analysis exercise the expenditure per head for these two regions is as follows:
| Outturn | Plans | |||||||||
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | ||||||
| Region | £ million | % | £ million | % | £ million | % | £ million | % | £ million | % |
The Country and Regional Analysis is a yearly exercise that Departments participate in that allocates departmental spending to regions based on who benefits from that spending, not necessarily on where the spending takes place.
The most recent exercise culminated in the publication of the Public expenditure Statistical Analyses Command Paper (PESA 2010, CM 7890).
Schools: Admissions
Ms Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of the number of children in each local education authority area without (a) a primary and (b) a secondary school place (i) on 31 March 2010 and (ii) at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. [21041]
Mr Gibb: The provision of sufficient school places is the statutory responsibility of local authorities. Every child of statutory school age must be provided with a place.
We are aware that in some areas there is exceptional growth in demand for pupil places, particularly for primary pupils. The Secretary of State has said that meeting the demand for additional places will be priority for investment over the spending review period.
Schools: Anti-Semitism
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated on the causes of anti-Semitism in schools in each of the last three years. [22003]
Tim Loughton: No research on the causes of anti-Semitism in schools has been undertaken nor evaluated by the Department in the last three years.
Schools: Standards
Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education which local authority areas are listed by Ofsted as having been in special measures for more than a year. [22620]
Tim Loughton [holding answer 8 November 2010]: Doncaster and Haringey local authorities were judged to be in the lowest rating category in Ofsted's annual assessment of children's services for 2008 and 2009, the latest years for which ratings have been published.
Schools: Warrington
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimate he has made of (a) the number of schools in Warrington North constituency which will be eligible for the pupil premium and (b) the monetary value of that premium to be made to each school in 2011-12. [19909]
Mr Gibb: On 26 July 2010 we launched the Consultation on school funding 2011-12: Introducing a pupil premium. This set out the proposed methodology for allocating such a premium, including options on the best deprivation indicator. The consultation ended on 18 October 2010 and we are now considering over 700 responses that we have received.
A statement of the outcome will be made shortly.
Special Educational Needs
Mrs Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to reduce the attainment gap between pupils (a) with and (b) without special educational needs. [22921]
Sarah Teather [holding answer 9 November 2010]: The attainment gap between those with special education needs and their peers is too wide. We want to close this gap and ensure that young people with special educational fulfil their potential. The Educational White Paper and the SEN Green Paper will set out proposals to improve outcomes for these young people.
Safety Education: Fireworks
Mr Fabian Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what teaching is provided to children on the (a) safe use of and (b) risks associated with fireworks. [22290]
Mr Gibb: Schools can choose to cover these issues as a part of safety education. As fireworks are used increasingly, not only for the traditional 'Firework Night' on 5 November, but also to celebrate festivals such as Diwali and the Chinese new year, their safe use is of great importance. However, we leave it to the professional judgement of teachers to choose whether and how to teach this aspect of risk management.
The Community and Home section of the Directgov website:
is a good resource for teachers and parents, who can raise children's awareness of risks and how to manage them.
Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority Committee
Complaints
Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, pursuant to the answer of 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 177W, whether a letter from an hon. Member needs to be headed with the word complaint to be classified as a complaint by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA); and what marking would be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of IPSA complaints procedure to clearly indicate that an e-mail or letter should be treated as a complaint. [22881]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2010, Official Report, column 177W, whether a letter from an hon. Member needs to be headed with the word complaint to be classified as a complaint by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA); and what marking would be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of IPSA complaints procedure to clearly indicate that an e-mail or letter should be treated as a complaint. 22881
We request that Members head complaints as such so that they can be identified easily and the complaints investigation process can be instigated.
As stated in the published complaints procedure, we ask that letters or emails be headed "formal complaint".
Members and Members' Staff: National Insurance Contributions
Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what measures the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has in place to ensure that the National Insurance contributions in respect of (a) hon. Members and (b) staff of hon. Members are paid on the correct dates so as to ensure that there is no break in each individual's record of contributions; and if he will make a statement. [23057]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what measures the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has in place to ensure that the National Insurance contributions in respect of (a) hon. Members and (b) staff of hon. Members are paid on the correct dates so as to ensure that there is no break in each individual's record of contributions; and if he will make a statement.
Deductions for National Insurance contributions for MPs and their staff are deducted on a monthly basis through payroll. Month-end reconciliations happen to ensure deductions are correct and payment to the National Insurance Contributions Office (NICO) take place before the monthly cut-off date. From September, monthly reports have been run to ensure that all individuals have a table letter and that no individuals are on an X code (no contributions involved), unless they are self- employed.
Members: National Insurance Contributions
Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what steps the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has taken to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of each instance where the record of National Insurance payments of (a) an hon. Member and (b) a number of staff of an hon. Member has been broken as a result of a failure to contribute the appropriate payment on the due date; and if he will make a statement. [22829]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what steps the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has taken to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of each instance where the record of National Insurance payments of (a) an hon. Member and (b) a number of staff of an hon. Member has been broken as a result of a failure to contribute the appropriate payment on the due date; and if he will make a statement.
IPSA has not informed the Department for Work and Pensions of any cases where National Insurance payments of MPs or their staff have been broken due to incorrect contributions. In the few cases where contributions were not made, for whatever reason, IPSA has subsequently brought these contributions up to date. There is no reason to notify the Department for Work and Pensions.
Bob Russell: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, in respect of how many (a) hon. Members and (b) staff of hon. Members the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has not deducted monthly National Insurance payments on the correct date; and how many months by contributions were affected in each case. [22830]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking, in respect of how many (a) hon. Members and (b) staff of hon. Members the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has not deducted monthly National Insurance payments on the correct date; and how many monthly contributions were affected in each case.
Due to an error in the data transferred from House of Commons to IPSA, four people were transferred with a "table letter X" which led to no contributions being collected from them. The error was rectified in September when all contributions were brought up to date to include contributions for the missing months of June, July and August.
Members: Security
Mark Pritchard: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what account the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority takes of the likely effects on the security of the (a) family and (b) staff of hon. Members when taking decisions on the release of the documentation to the public. [21699]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what account the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority takes of the likely effects on the security of the (a) family and (b) staff of hon. Members when taking decisions on the release of the documentation to the public.
In framing our policy on what information IPSA should publish, we have been mindful of our duties under the Freedom of Information Act (2000) and the Data Protection Act (1998). We have carefully considered any security issues that may arise and have consulted the Information Commissioner's Office and the House authorities, including the House security adviser, on these matters.
Trade Unions
Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how many members of staff of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority have trade union membership fees deducted from their salaries. [21923]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many members of staff at IPSA have trade union membership feeds deducted from their salaries.
IPSA currently deducts trade union fees from the salaries of 15 employees.
Travel
Helen Jones: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what contracts the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has with (a) the Government Car Service and (b) other transport providers; what the terms are of each such contract; what the annual cost to the public purse is of each such contract; and how many IPSA staff are entitled to use transport provided under each such contract. [22340]
Mr Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what contracts the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has with (a) the Government Car Service and (b) other transport providers; what the terms are of each such contract; what the annual cost to the public purse is of each such contract; and how many IPSA staff are entitled to use transport provided under each such contract.
Aside from where IPSA provides assistance to Members of Parliament on a case by case basis, IPSA does not hold any contracts with the Government Car Service or other transport providers. No IPSA staff are entitled to use transport provided by the Government Car Service or other such providers.
House of Commons Commission
House of Commons: Housing
Lorely Burt: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission on how many nights the accommodation in (a) 2 Parliament Street, (b) 3 Parliament Street, (c) 2a Canon Row, (d) 2b Canon Row, (e) 4 Canon Row, (f) 102 Rochester Row and (g) 22 John Islip Street was used in each of the last five years; and by whom. [23461]
Sir Stuart Bell: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer to the hon. Member for Maldon (Mr Whittingdale), as corrected on 12 November 2010, Official Report, column 3MC, which lists the post-holders using the accommodation in (a) to (f). This accommodation consists of six residences, privately occupied by post holders and their families, together with sleeping facilities provided for staff of the House who need to be available on the parliamentary estate over prolonged periods and at unpredictable times. The House does not record the number of nights on which each is used.
Occupancy figures for (g), 22 John Islip Street, which provides hostel-style sleeping accommodation for staff who undertake occasional late night duties or who have an approved business need to remain in London overnight are as follows:
| Bed nights( 1) | |
| (1) Bed nights denotes the number of beds occupied during the year. (2) Data incomplete. Average occupancy similar to 2008 and 2009. (3) Bed nights to end October. | |
Meat: Slaughter
Mr Knight: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the House of Commons Commission whether any (a) beef, (b) lamb and (c) chicken served in House of Commons catering outlets was slaughtered using halal methods in the last 12 months; and how customers are made aware of the slaughtering method of the meat served. [24197]
Sir Stuart Bell: No beef or lamb purchased by the House of Commons is halal slaughtered unless specifically requested by an event organiser. However, it has recently come to the attention of the House of Commons Catering Service that it has unknowingly received supplies of poultry slaughtered using pre-stun halal methods, and consequently customers have not been made aware of this fact. Contracts for the supply of meat and poultry are currently in the process of being re-tendered and as part of that process it has become apparent that the practice of supplying halal meats and poultry is widespread in the catering supply chain. The House Service is in discussions with bidders about how this can best be managed in future.
Health
Abortion
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health on 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 900, when the Government commissioned a systematic review of the evidence; who was appointed to conduct the review and what relevant specialist qualifications each such appointee holds; and if he will make it his policy to include persons in the review who have wide knowledge or experience in (a) law, (b) social work, (c) philosophy, (d) religion, (e) medicine and (f) science. [23715]
Anne Milton: The review of induced abortion and mental health was commissioned in January 2010 and is being led by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Information on membership of the review team is shown in the following table.
A group comprising systematic reviewers, an information scientist, a project manager and the Department's policy lead is supporting the review team. The review will be sent out for consultation, prior to publication, to a selected group of experts in the field, including the Royal Colleges of Nursing and Physicians, statutory organisations and expert published researchers.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, columns 626-27W, on abortion, whether his Department's guidance on parental involvement applies to other surgical procedures; and if he will make a statement . [23716]
Anne Milton: Legally, health professionals are able to provide health advice and treatment, including surgical procedures, to young people aged under-16 without parental knowledge or consent. However, they must first establish that without that advice or treatment the young person's physical or mental health, or both, would be likely to suffer and the young person understands the treatment and advice proposed and its implications.
The Department issued guidance on the provision of contraceptive, sexual and reproductive health services for young people aged under-16 in July 2004. The guidance specifically covers treatment for abortion and emphasises that
"health professionals should discuss the benefits of the young women involving her parents. In the rare cases where she cannot be persuaded to do so, every effort should be made to find another adult to provide support, for example another family member or specialist youth worker".
Autism
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the merits of a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Quality Standard in respect of autism. [23942]
Paul Burstow: The case for developing a Quality Standard for autism will be considered as part of work to commission a comprehensive library of such Standards from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), in line with plans set out in the White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS.
NICE is already developing clinical guidelines on autism: one for children and young people with autism, scheduled to be published in September 2011, and one for adults with autism, scheduled to be published in July 2012.
Autism: Health Services
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether his Department's forthcoming statutory guidance on, Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives will require local authorities to record the unmet needs of individuals diagnosed with autism in order to assist planning for future service provision; [23941]
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that his Department's forthcoming statutory guidance on services for adults with autism, Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, is accessible to individuals to be able to use to hold their local services to account; [23944]
(3) Health if he will take steps to ensure that his Department's forthcoming statutory guidance on services for adults with autism, Implementing Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives, increases the standard of training provided for staff in health and social care in autism. [23945]
Paul Burstow: The national consultation on the statutory guidance closed on 22 October. We are currently in the process of analysing the response, which will inform the further development of the statutory guidance. Ministers will then consider a revised draft and take final decisions on content. We would not wish nor would it be appropriate to anticipate this process.
The Autism Act sets the publication date for the statutory guidance, which must be produced and published before 31 December 2010. We will consider carefully how the guidance can be made accessible to individuals and their families.
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he made of the number of babies born with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome in each of the last three years. [23583]
Anne Milton: The information requested is as follows
| Number of finished admission episodes for congenital and developmental myasthenia in newborns (2007-08 to 2009-10) , a ctivity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector | |
| Number | |
| Notes: 1. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts in England and from some independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain. Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The NHS Information Centre for health and social care. | |
Departmental Lobbying
Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent from the public purse on influencing public policy through (a) employing external (i) public affairs companies, (ii) strategic consultancies and (iii) corporate communications firms, (b) external marketing and (c) other activities in each of the last 10 years; [23761]
(2) which of his Department's non-departmental public bodies have undertaken activities to influence public policy for which they engaged (a) public affairs and (b) public relations consultants in each year since 1997; and at what monetary cost in each such year. [23784]
Mr Simon Burns: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Those bodies which procured work from public affairs consultancies between 1999-2000 and 2008-09 were identified in the answer of 23 June 2009, Official Report, column 853W, which showed summary expenditure.
Food: Labelling
Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken in preparation for the EPSCO meeting on 6 and 7 December 2010 to ensure that the UK retains its right to additional voluntary schemes using front-of-pack food labelling; and if he will make a statement. [23781]
Anne Milton: The United Kingdom has been actively involved in all the Council discussions to progress proposals for additional voluntary schemes. I understand that the text to be presented to the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) is expected to allow voluntary Front of Pack nutrition labelling, with information on energy, fat, saturated fat, sugars and salt with percentage Guideline Daily Amount, as well as additional forms of expression and presentation (format unspecified) on a voluntary basis. However discussions are ongoing.
General Practitioners
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what timetable he has set for the implementation of his proposals for GP commissioning. [23624]
Mr Simon Burns: We are committed to a staged implementation of our proposals for new general practitioner (GP) commissioning arrangements. Subject to the outcomes of the analysis of the consultation responses the Department has received and to parliamentary approval of the necessary primary legislation, our indicative timetable sets out that GP consortiums will begin to form, where they wish to, and where they are ready to do so, in 2010-11, and that throughout 2011-12 a more comprehensive system of shadow consortiums will be in place, up and running and learning. We also propose that the NHS Commissioning Board will be established in shadow form in 2011-12.
By April 2012, consortiums will be formally established with indicative allocations and responsibility to prepare commissioning plans. The NHS Commissioning Board will also be established as an independent statutory body.
By 2013, we propose that we will have fully engaged and authorised GP consortiums with real budgets and holding contracts with providers.
Mr Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether GPs will be responsible for commissioning (a) hepatitis (i) B and (ii) C and (b) other specialist services; and if he will make a statement. [23625]
Mr Simon Burns: The White Paper 'Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS' set out our proposals to devolve power and responsibility for commissioning services to local consortiums of general practitioner (GP) practices.
We propose that GP consortiums will be responsible for commissioning the great majority of national health service services, including for non-complicated cases of hepatitis B and C, depending on local service provision. We will expect consortiums to involve relevant health and social care professionals from all sectors in helping design care pathways or care packages that achieve more integrated delivery of care, higher quality, and more efficient use of NHS resources. This will create an effective dialogue across all health and, where appropriate, social care professionals.
We propose that the NHS Commissioning Board will commission national specialised services and regional specialised services as set out in the Specialised Services National Definitions Set. This may include services for complicated cases of hepatitis B and C which are included in the definition of specialised services for Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Medicine and Surgery (adult).
'Liberating the NHS: Commissioning for Patients' invited views on a number of areas of the commissioning agenda, including asking consultees to consider whether there are any services currently commissioned as regional specialised services that could potentially be commissioned in the future by commissioning consortiums. The engagement exercise closed on 11 October and the Department is now analysing all of the contributions received.
Health Services
Stephen McPartland: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has plans to produce a new edition of the Specialised Services National Definitions Set; whether the NHS Commissioning Board plans to use the third edition of the set as the basis for its role in commissioning National Specialised Services; and if he will make a statement. [23729]
Mr Simon Burns: The Specialised Services National Definitions Set (SSNDS) has recently been updated through a long process of consultation which involved key clinicians and patient groups.
The SSNDS will form the solid basis for considering which specialised services the Secretary of State will ask the NHS Commissioning Board to commission.
Hepatitis: Health Services
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to publish a funded hepatitis action plan in a similar format to that used in Scotland. [24369]
Anne Milton: Professor Martin Lombard, national clinical director for liver disease, is currently leading the Department's programme of work to support the national health service in responding to liver disease in England, of which viral hepatitis is a factor. The Department will then publish a public consultation on proposals.
Lambert Eaton Syndrome
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to the NHS (a) in total and (b) per patient of the substitution of Firdapse(r) for 3,4 diaminopyridine for the treatment of patients with Lambert Eaton syndrome in 2011-12. [23568]
Mr Simon Burns: The estimated cost to the NHS (secondary care in England) of the substitution of Firdapse(r) for 3,4 diaminopyridine for patients with Lambert Eaton syndrome in 2011-12 is as follows:
(a) In total-£9,768,668 (excluding VAT); and
(b) Per patient-£44,000 (excluding VAT).
Malnutrition
Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients with malnutrition were (a) admitted to and (b) discharged from each hospital in England in each of the last three years for which figures are available. [23697]
Anne Milton: A table which provides a count of admissions and last (discharge) episodes in and out of hospital where there was a primary or secondary diagnosis of malnutrition broken down by hospital provider from 2007-08 to 2009-10 has been placed in the Library.
Note that admissions and discharges do not represent the number of people, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
Mental Health Services
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 2 November 2010, Official Report, column 775W, on mental health services, when he expects to publish his (a) mental health strategy and (b) public health White Paper. [23818]
Paul Burstow: On 2 September I announced the beginning of work on reshaping the mental health strategy which will have the twin aims of promoting and sustaining good mental health and well-being in the wider population and improving the quality of existing services for people across the full range of mental health problems. We expect to publish the strategy in the new year.
Improving public health is at the core of this Government's health policy and we will make clear our priorities in this area in the Public Health White Paper later this year.
Myasthenia Gravis
Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) when he last met the Myasthenia Gravis Association; and what the agenda was of that meeting; [23578]
(2) whether he plans to take steps to raise the level of public awareness of the condition Myasthenia Gravis; [23579]
(3) what recent estimate he has made of the number of people who have Myasthenia Gravis who are (a) under 18, (b) between 18 and 30, (c) between 31 and 40, (d) between 41 and 50, (e) between 51 and 60 and (f) over 60 years; [23582]
(4) what recent estimate he has made of the number of people of each sex who have been diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis; [23584]
(5) how many specialist nurses there are for patients with Myasthenia Gravis in each NHS trust. [23585]
Paul Burstow: Detailed information on myasthenia gravis has been made available on the NHS Choices website at:
This information, suitable for those newly diagnosed and health professionals, covers the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatments for this rare condition. More detailed information, suitable for clinicians, is available on the NHS Evidence website at:
It is estimated that around 6,000 people in the United Kingdom have myasthenia gravis. No age, or sex, breakdown for people with myasthenia gravis has been made.
The number of specialist nurses for people with myasthenia gravis is not collected centrally.
I have had no meeting with the Myasthenia Gravis Association.
NHS
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 1 November 2010, Official Report, column 649W, on North West Strategic Health Authority: redundancy, when he expects to publish the impact assessment of the Government's consultations on changes to the NHS. [23719]
Mr Simon Burns: The Government published an analytical strategy on 12 July 2010 outlining how we would develop the impact assessment for the reforms in the White Paper, "Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS", and its accompanying consultation documents. We intend to publish an impact assessment for all the proposals that require primary legislation in the forthcoming Health Bill.
NHS: Drugs
Valerie Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on the supply of (a) unlicensed and (b) patented drugs which hold a marking authorisation. [23571]
Mr Simon Burns: In the United Kingdom medicines for human use are regulated by the Medicines Act 1968 and supporting regulations which aim to protect patient health. Before a medicine can be marketed in the UK, a number of licences are required. The product itself must have a licence called a 'marketing authorisation' unless an exemption applies. In addition, the companies that are involved in all stages of the manufacture (including importation) and distribution of the product need to hold an appropriate licence.
A marketing authorisation is granted following an assessment of the safety, quality and efficacy of a medicinal product. Marketing authorisations can be specific to an European Union member state, or apply across all EU member states. The regulatory requirements
for marketing authorisations are defined at a European level. In the UK the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for the assessment of medicinal products for human use, and contributes towards the work of the European Medicines Agency in this area.
In the UK the provision for the use of an unlicensed medicinal product is provided for by way of an exemption from the requirement for a marketing authorisation. In the interests of public health this exemption is narrowly drawn because these products, unlike products holding a marketing authorisation, will not have been assessed and approved against the criteria of safety, quality and efficacy.
The use of an unlicensed medicinal product can only take place to fulfil the special clinical needs of the patient, where those needs cannot be met by an authorised medicinal product. The "special clinical needs" in such a situation must be of the patient, rather than due to considerations such as cost.
In the UK it is for a doctor's clinical judgment as to which medicinal products they prescribe for their patient. A doctor should always consider using an authorised medicinal product first if available. Decisions such as the use of an unlicensed medicine need to be made in discussion with the patient concerned.
NHS: Finance
Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on the likely effects on discharges from the NHS of reductions in Government funding for local authorities. [23604]
Paul Burstow: The spending review recognises the importance of social care in protecting most vulnerable in society. In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging fiscal climate, the coalition Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care. This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.
The NHS transferring some funding from the health capital budget to health revenue, to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. This funding will be up to £1 billion in 2014-15;
Additional grant funding, rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, will be made available for social care. This funding will be allocated in addition to the Department's existing social care grants, which will rise in line with inflation. Total grant funding from the Department for social care will reach £2.4 billion by 2014-15. In order to support local flexibility and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding will go to authorities through the Revenue Support Grant.
NHS: Standards
Mr Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to monitor (a) waiting times in the NHS and (b) the accountability of NHS bodies for timely access to consultation and treatment; and if he will make a statement. [23669]
Mr Simon Burns: The Department collects and publishes monthly data on the time patients wait from referral to start of treatment. The latest national statistics data for the month of August 2010 are shown in the following tables.
The NHS constitution includes the patient right
"to access services within maximum waiting times, or for the National Health Service to take all reasonable steps to offer you a range of alternative providers if this is not possible".
Commissioners have a legal duty to commission services that meet maximum waiting times standards and to offer redress to patients who wait longer if they request it. Commissioners are able to enforce the clauses related to waiting times with their providers through the NHS standard contracts.
| Monthly referral to treatment (RTT) waiting times | |||||
| August 2010 commissioner-based data-RTT waiting times for admitted pathways completed during the month (on an adjusted basis) | |||||
| Treatment Function | Total number of completed pathways (all) | Total number of completed pathways (with a known clock start) | Average (median) waiting time (in weeks) | 95th percentile waiting time (in weeks) | Percentage within 18 weeks |
| August 2010 commissioner returns-RTT times for completed non-admitted pathways | |||||
| Treatment function | Total number of completed pathways (all) | Total number of completed pathways (with a known clock start) | Average (median) waiting time (in weeks) | 95th percentile waiting time (in weeks) | Percentage within 18 weeks |
| Note: Median and 95th percentile times are calculated from aggregate data, rather than patient level data, and therefore are only estimates of the position on average waits. | |||||
Physiology: Regulation
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the statutory regulation of clinical physiologists; and whether he has undertaken an impact assessment of such regulation. [24530]
Anne Milton: Ministers are currently considering, within the context of the Government's wider health strategy, whether to regulate healthcare scientists, including clinical physiologists, and how it might be done.
A robust evidence-based cost-benefit risk analysis will be undertaken to inform the appropriate model of regulation for the healthcare science work force, including clinical physiologists.
Primary Care Trusts
Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms he plans to establish to ensure that groups of GPs meet their financial commitments following the abolition of primary care trusts. [22516]
Mr Simon Burns: Under our proposals for general practitioner (GP) commissioning, practice level commissioning budgets will be allocated directly to GP commissioning consortiums. Each consortium will have the responsibility to decide how best to use these resources to meet the health care needs of their patients. Consortiums will also have the duty to ensure that their expenditure does not exceed their allocated resources, for which they will be accountable to the NHS Commissioning Board.
The detailed mechanisms that will be established to ensure GP commissioning consortiums meet their financial commitments will be developed as part of the financial framework for the proposed new system.
Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his timescale is for the abolition of primary care trusts. [23910]
Paul Burstow: As set out in the Department's business plan, published on 8 November 2010, the Government have proposed that primary care trusts will be abolished in April 2013, subject to legislation being brought before Parliament.
Primary Health Care
Mr Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to take steps to ensure that GP consortia include pharmacists in their decision-making process in respect of the delivery of primary care. [23609]
Mr Simon Burns: General practitioner (GP) consortia will commission the great majority of national health service services on behalf of patients. Consortia will not be responsible for commissioning primary medical services, which will be the responsibility of the NHS Commissioning Board, but consortia will become increasingly influential in driving up the quality of general practice.
GP consortia will be able to involve specialist expertise in the commissioning of services as they see fit. Effective GP commissioning will require the full range of clinical and professional input alongside that of local people.
Hospital doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and others all have a vital role to play and a real opportunity to develop services and improve the health outcomes of their local populations. Consortia will need to ensure that they have access to and draw upon the necessary expertise of those working in health and social care to ensure that they have the most appropriate specialist input into their commissioning decisions.
Radiation Exposure
Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) national and (b) local agreements there are in relation to the radiation dose uptake limitation system adopted by each ambulance service when attending a radiation emergency at each of the nuclear powered submarine operational berths maintained by the Ministry of Defence as required by Regulation 14 of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001. [23635]
Anne Milton: The Department has recently published "The ambulance service guidance on dealing with radiological incidents and emergencies", a copy of which has been placed in the Library. This document provides guidance on the management of staff safety while enhancing patient care. This applies to all types of radiological incidents, including those sites covered by the Ministry of Defence Nuclear Accident Response Organisation.
The ambulance guidance is supported by a newly created capability of ambulance officers within trusts, who have completed an ambulance radiation protection supervisor (RPS) course run by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). These officers are supported by a 24 hours a day, seven days a week ambulance radiation protection advisor service (RPA), provided by the HPA. To date, 78 officers have been trained, with a further four more courses planned for this financial year.
Social Services
Ms Bagshawe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what mechanism the additional funding for adult social care announced in the comprehensive spending review will be allocated to local authorities. [23948]
Paul Burstow: The spending review recognises the importance of social care in protecting the most vulnerable in society. In recognition of the pressures on the social care system in a challenging local government settlement, the coalition Government have allocated an additional £2 billion by 2014-15 to support the delivery of social care. This means, with an ambitious programme of efficiency, that there is enough funding available both to protect people's access to services and deliver new approaches to improve quality and outcomes.
We have achieved this in two ways:
The NHS will transfer some funding from the health capital budget to health revenue, to be spent on measures that support social care, which also benefits health. This funding will rise to £1 billion in 2014-15, and will promote improved joint working between the health and social care systems. Later this year, the new operating framework will set out specific primary care trust (PCT) allocations that they will transfer to local authorities for spending on social care services to benefit health, and to improve overall health gain. PCTs and local authorities will need
to work together to agree jointly appropriate areas for social care investment, with a shared analysis of need and a common agreement on the outcomes to be met.
Additional grant funding, rising to £1 billion by 2014-15, will be made available for social care. This funding will be allocated in addition to the Department's existing social care grants, which will rise in line with inflation. Total grant funding from the Department for social care will reach £2.4 billion by 2014-15. In order to support local flexibility and to reduce administrative burdens, this funding will go to authorities through the revenue support grant.
Varicose Veins: Health Services
Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many patients in each strategic health authority area were treated for varicose veins by (a) vein stripping open surgery, (b) endovenous laser treatment, (c) radiofrequency ablation, (d) foam sclerotherapy and (e) using a vascular closure device in the NHS in each of the last five years; [23087]
(2) how many patients in each strategic health authority area treated for varicose veins (a) required an overnight stay using surgery or laser under anaesthetic, (b) were day patients after surgery or laser under anaesthetic or (c) received (i) laser or radiofrequency under tumescent local anaesthesia and (ii) sclerotherapy without any anaesthesia and office-based correction without overnight admission in each of the last five years. [23088]
Mr Simon Burns: The available information requested has been placed in the Library. Data are not available prior to 2006-07 for endovenous laser treatment, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy, using a vascular closure device and combined varicose vein procedures as time series for these procedures only date back to 2006-07. Data may not be comparable with previous similar responses due to changes in clinical coding methodology.
Deputy Prime Minister
BBC
John McDonnell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent meetings he has had with the Director-General of the BBC; and whether the matter of pensions was discussed at those meetings. [24715]
The Deputy Prime Minister: The Deputy Prime Minister publishes details of his external meetings on a quarterly basis. Officials have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.
Rosyth Dockyard
Thomas Docherty: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) politically-appointed advisers, (b) civil servants and (c) press officers accompanied him and the Secretary of State for Scotland on the visit to Rosyth Dockyard on Tuesday 19 October; how many cars were used in Scotland to take the party to Rosyth Dockyard; what the cost was of the (i) flights and (ii) use of cars for the visit; and from which departmental budgets these costs were met. [24610]
The Deputy Prime Minister:
The Deputy Prime Minister was accompanied by one special adviser, and three civil servants (including one press officer). The Secretary of
State for Scotland was accompanied by one special adviser and two civil servants (including one press officer).
All travel was arranged in accordance with the Ministerial Code and civil service guidelines. The Ministers' costs were met by their respective Departments.
The cost of the Deputy Prime Minister's domestic travel will be published as part of the Operating Cost Statement of the Cabinet Office Annual Report and Accounts at the end of the financial year.
Voting Rights: Prisoners
Gavin Shuker: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the evidential basis is for his Department's estimate of potential losses arising from compensation claims relating to prisoner voting rights. [23550]
Mr Harper: As I indicated to the House on 2 November 2010, Official Report, columns 771-79, a number of prisoners have brought legal cases against Her Majesty's Government in the domestic and Strasbourg courts. The estimate of the potential damages liability against Her Majesty's Government reflects the amounts claimed by prisoners and the size of the prison population who might seek to make claims. The Government are defending these cases.
Treasury
Government Borrowing
18. Claire Perry: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent discussions he has had with the Governor of the Bank of England on the relationship between changes in market interest rates and levels of Government borrowing. [23981]
Mr Hoban: The Bank of England's November Inflation Report stated that:
"Market contacts reported that the formation of a new UK government and the announcement of its plans for fiscal consolidation had reduced the perceived risks associated with holding UK gilts."
Comprehensive Spending Review
19.Hywel Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment has been made of the likely effects on HM Revenue and Customs' tax enquiry services for the public of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review. [23982]
Mr Gauke: HMRC is currently reviewing options for delivery of the tax inquiry services it provides through its network of inquiry centres, contact centres and online over the next spending review period. HMRC will focus on providing services that are both cost-effective and meet the needs of its customers.
Working Tax Credit
20. Alison McGovern: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households with earnings between £12,000 and £30,000 per year whose working tax credit payments will be reduced as a result of the implementation of proposals in the comprehensive spending review. [23983]
Justine Greening: 775,000 and 810,000 households with incomes between £12,000 and £30,000 and receiving working tax credits will receive a reduced working tax credit payment in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively as a result of the comprehensive spending review.
21. Mr Davidson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the average reduction in working tax credits for households on incomes between £12,000 and £30,000 per annum resulting from implementation of proposals contained in the comprehensive spending review in the Spending Review period. [23984]
Justine Greening: Households with incomes between £12,000 and £30,000 and receiving working tax credits will receive a reduced working tax credit payment of £210 and £290 in 2011-12 and 2012-13 respectively as a result of the comprehensive spending review.
Child Benefit
22. Paul Blomfield: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households which will be eligible for child benefit following implementation of the proposals contained in the comprehensive spending review. [23985]
Mr Gauke: It is estimated that around 6 million households will be eligible for child benefit following implementation of the proposals contained in the comprehensive spending review.
Mr Tom Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households that will be eligible for child benefit once the proposals made in the spending review have been implemented. [23966]
Danny Alexander: It is estimated that around 6 million households will be eligible for child benefit following implementation of the proposals contained in the comprehensive spending review.
Redundancy and Retraining Costs
23. Tony Lloyd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the Exchequer of redundancy and retraining requirements arising from implementation of proposals contained in the comprehensive spending review. [23986]
Danny Alexander: The total cost of work force reforms will depend on the decisions of significant numbers of public sector employers across the country. Detailed decisions regarding the number of redundancies and the associated costs that may be required have yet to be finalised in most cases, and it would not be appropriate for the Treasury to speculate on any aggregate numbers.
Staff Bonuses: Banks
24. Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to encourage banks to reduce the amounts they award in staff bonuses. [23987]
Mr Hoban: The Government have taken decisive action to tackle unacceptable bank bonuses. The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is revising its remuneration code and new rules will be in place by 1 January 2011. In addition, the Government have introduced a levy that incentivises less risky banking activities and will continue to investigate the costs and benefits of a financial activities tax. In combination, these and other measures will ensure remuneration is consistent with effective risk management and high earning employees and other significant risk takers will not receive all their bonuses in cash while leaving their shareholders, and potentially the taxpayer, exposed to the long-term risks they take.
Crown Currency Exchange
Helen Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate HM Revenue and Customs has made of the liability for unpaid taxes arising from the entry into administration of the Crown Currency Exchange Ltd. [23718]
Mr Gauke: Section 18 of the Commissioners of Revenue and Customs Act 2005 does not permit HM Revenue and Customs to comment on the affairs of individual customers.
Jack Lopresti: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the activities of the Crown Currency Exchange; and if he will bring forward proposals to increase the effectiveness of regulation in the currency exchange sector. [23816]
Mr Hoban: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 8 November 2010, Official Report, column 91W.
Tom Greatrex: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what information he received from the Financial Services Authority on the (a) entry into administration and (b) outstanding liabilities of Crown Currency Exchange. [24368]
Mr Hoban: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is not responsible for the administration of Crown Currency Exchange or its outstanding liabilities.
The administrators are reviewing the trading operations of Crown Currency Exchange, its financial position and the conduct of its directors. Once the administrators have reported, the Government will look closely at this case to see what lessons need to be learned from the failure of the company.
Government Departments: Waste
Conor Burns: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the commitments made by Government departments to reduce their expenditure through waste reduction are met. [23710]
Danny Alexander: The Government's reforms to devolve power away from Whitehall mean that central Government's administrative functions will become smaller and more strategic:
The administrative budgets of central Whitehall and its arms length bodies (ALB) will be reduced by 34% over the Spending Review period, saving £5.9 billion a year by 2014-15 so that resources can be focused on frontline services.
The number of ALBs across Government will be radically reduced. 118 will be merged and a further 192 will cease to be public bodies with their functions either being brought back into Government, devolved or abolished.
Central government functions will be subject to a tough new efficiency regime, monitored and supported by the new Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office. This will drive savings in operational overheads. Key measures include:
Central mandation of commodity procurement, with centrally negotiated deals available to local government as well
Stronger scrutiny processes for major projects to ensure they will deliver on time and to budget
A more coordinated approach to supplier management to ensure Government act as a single client with key suppliers
A new system of national property controls across the central civil and operational estate.
The Efficiency and Reform Group have already made good progress; their contract renegotiations are expected to deliver £800 million of savings this year and 300 ICT projects have been reviewed with Cabinet Office working with departments to stop or de-scope projects worth £1 billion.
Higher Education
Rehman Chishti: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated on the relationship between university enrolment and economic productivity. [23291]
Danny Alexander: The Government recognise the key role that higher education plays in supporting economic growth and productivity, not only through the skills of graduates but also the research and innovation activities of higher education institutions. It keeps the available evidence under regular review.
Cabinet Office
Business: Procurement
Karen Lumley: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what assessment his Department has made of the effects of the implementation of the proposals of the comprehensive spending review on the capacity of (a) small and medium-sized enterprises and (b) large companies to participate in the procurement process for government contracts. [23559]
Mr Hurd: We want to make public procurement easier for suppliers of all sizes by taking bureaucracy and delays out of the process.
On 1 November I announced a series of measures to make it easier for small firms and organisations to do business with Government. These included a 'Lean' study looking at causes of delay in the procurement process and action to speed up the process.
We have also initiated work to centralise the procurement of common goods and services across Government, using our combined purchasing power to get the best value for money. This will provide a much simpler mechanism for suppliers to engage with Government.
We want public services to be delivered in the most efficient and effective way by a range of providers including public, private and voluntary and community organisations. To this end we have been seeking industry views on innovative solutions to deliver better services.
Civil Service Live Conference
Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office (1) what estimate he has made of the (a) quantity and (b) cost of (i) alcohol and (ii) non-alcoholic beverages consumed at Civil Service Live in each year since it was established; [23771]
(2) what contracts his Department has let for each Civil Service Live event; and what process has been used to select successful bidders for each. [23812]
Mr Hurd: Civil Service Live events are owned and managed by Dods (the publisher of Civil Service World). The Cabinet Office does not hold information on the quantity and cost of beverages consumed at the events and neither has it employed contractors to manage CS Live events.
For further information on CS Live events, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 15 November 2010, Official Report, column 635W.
Departmental Lobbying
Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies spent from the public purse on influencing public policy through (a) employing external (i) public affairs companies, (ii) strategic consultancies and (iii) corporate communications firms, (b) external marketing and (c) other activities in each year since its inception. [23768]
Mr Hurd: Since their inception, the Cabinet Office's agencies and non-departmental public bodies, have not spent any money from the public purse on influencing public policy through (a) employing external (i) public affairs companies, (ii) strategic consultancies and (iii) corporate communications firms, (b) external marketing and (c) other activities.
Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which of his Department's non-departmental public bodies have undertaken activities to influence public policy for which they engaged (a) public affairs and (b) public relations consultants in each year since 1997; and at what monetary cost in each such year. [23790]
Mr Hurd: Since 1997, the Cabinet Office's non-departmental public bodies have not undertaken any activities to influence public policy for which they engaged (a) public affairs and (b) public relations consultants.
Departmental Offices
Simon Kirby: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps his Department is taking to reduce the costs of Ministerial offices; and if he will make a statement. [23804]
Mr Hurd: The Department keeps under review the staffing of its ministerial offices to ensure the most efficient and cost effective operation. In addition, none of the Cabinet Office ministerial team have an allocated car and driver.
Government Departments: Procurement
Mr Russell Brown: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what guidance his Department provides on the cost criteria for the tendering of government contracts. [24286]
Mr Hurd: UK Government procurement policy requires that contracts be awarded on the basis of the best value for money over the life of the contract. The Office of Government Commerce, now part of the Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office, has published on its website a range of tools to support procurers in achieving this.
As part of our drive to improve efficiency and reduce waste in the procurement process, we have commissioned a 'Lean' study looking at causes of cost and delay and action to address them.
Stephen Barclay: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many contracts have been identified as not delivering value for money since the announcement that his Department will collate monthly data on the use of consultants by central Government in May 2010; what the monetary value of such contracts is; what estimate he has made of the number of full-time consultant posts involved in such contracts; and how many such contracts have been cancelled. [24310]
Mr Hurd: The Cabinet Offices does not collect data across central Government on the value delivered by individual consultancy contracts, or any other types of contract. It is a matter for departments to assess whether their individual contracts deliver the value as identified in the associated business case.
A number of specific consultancy contracts have been terminated, or scaled back, in direct response to the major programme review and ICT moratorium which is currently in place. This has resulted in expenditure with consultancy firms reducing by more than 50% on the same time last year across departments.
The Cabinet Office has published tools to assist departments in developing consultancy business cases and conducting post assignment reviews in order to measure value. Details are to be found on the Office of Government Commerce website.
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Office of Government Commerce plans to take to ensure that public authorities undertaking major tendering activities have taken into account its guidance on tendering; and whether it plans to take steps to ensure that there is independent verification that public bodies have complied with such guidance. [24316]
Mr Hurd:
Since coming to office the Government have taken steps to improve the efficiency and quality of government procurement. We have taken a grip on major procurement projects; initiated work to centralise
the procurement of common goods and services across government; and made a start on streamlining public procurement processes.
We expect those conducting government procurement to comply with mandatory requirements, but we have no plans to monitor individual public procurement exercises; nor do we intend to establish independent verification that public bodies are complying with OGC tools and good practice.
Institute for Fiscal Studies
Robert Halfon: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much his Department spent on services provided by the Institute for Fiscal Studies in each of the last 10 years. [23389]
Mr Maude: The Cabinet Office has made the following payments to the Institute for Fiscal Studies in the last 10 years
| £ | |
Legal Services Commission: Procurement
Rosie Cooper: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many complaints have been made to the Office of Government Commerce on the tendering activities of the Legal Services Commission in 2010; and under what (a) procedures and (b) timescale those complaints are dealt with. [24317]
Mr Hurd: The Office of Government Commerce, which is now part of the Efficiency and Reform Group in the Cabinet Office, has received one complaint against the Legal Services Commission in 2010. This is currently being handled by the Supplier Feedback Service.
Ministers: Conduct
Mr Bone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office to which hon. Members the provisions of the Ministerial Code of Conduct apply. [24362]
Mr Maude: The provisions of the Ministerial Code applies to Government Ministers.
Parliamentary Private Secretaries
Mr Bone: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which hon. Members have been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretaries. [24363]
Mr Maude: A list of Parliamentary Private Secretaries will be published shortly.
| Index | Home Page |