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Cancer Research
Baroness Noakes asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How much was spent on cancer research in the United Kingdom for each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 showing how much was funded by the Government and how much was funded from other sources; and[HL4978]
How much was spent on research in the United Kingdom into (a) breast cancer and (b) prostate cancer for each of the years 1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2001–02 showing how much was funded by the Government and how much was funded from other sources; and[HL4979]
Whether they believe that the amounts spent on research into breast and prostate cancer are adequate; and[HL4980]
What are their priorities for Government funded research into cancer for 2002–03 and subsequent years and how much money will be allocated for that purpose.[HL4981]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government's total expenditure on cancer research in 2000–01 is estimated to be £190 million. This figure includes expenditure by the Department of Health, its equivalents in the devolved administrations, the Medical Research Council, the other research councils and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The charities are thought to have invested about £180 million—or roughly the same amount—in that year. No estimates of total expenditure have been made for the previous or following years. The pharmaceutical industry is estimated to spend around £500 million a year on cancer research.
But getting valid and accurate figures on cancer research is difficult. It is often impossible to distinguish between basic or biological research that is relevant to cancer from that relevant to other disease processes. It can also be difficult to differentiate between costs attributable to research and those attributable to services. And research on cancers in general will often contribute to both breast and prostate cancer advances.
In the NHS Cancer Plan of September 2000, the Government confirmed their commitment to increasing their funding for cancer research. In 2000–01, the Department of Health spent £83.8 million. This includes £73.2 million on NHS support for projects funded by the research councils and charities. By 2003–04, the Department of Health is committed to investing an additional £20 million each year in the infrastructure for cancer research and an extra £4 million on prostate cancer research. These had been identified as priorities. The increase in investment in the infrastructure for cancer research is proceeding exactly according to plan. In 2001–02, the department invested an additional £5 million.
In April 2001, the Government set up the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) in partnership with the charities and the pharmaceutical industry. The NCRI is providing strategic oversight of cancer research across the United Kingdom. This will help to ensure that the nation's total investment in cancer research is directed to best effect. The NCRI is developing a database of research funded by its members, and this will include expenditure.
Speech Therapists
Lord Rodgers of Quarry Bank asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Given the base year of 1999, how many additional speech therapists will be working in the National Health Service by 2004.[HL4992]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Department of Health has not set a target for an increase in the number of speech and language therapists.
Between 1999 and 2001 the number of speech and language therapists working in the National Health Service has increased by 510 (11 per cent) and the number of training places available for students has increased by over 110, or 24 per cent since 1999. Our workforce projections suggest that by 2004 there could be a further increase of 800. If achieved that will be an increase of 25 per cent over 1999.
Human Organs and Tissue
Lord Temple-Morris asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish their consultative report on the law on the removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue.[HL5207]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are pleased to announce that today, together with the Welsh Assembly Government, we have published a consultative report, Human Bodies, Human Choices, on the law in England and Wales relating to human organs and tissue. Copies have been placed in the Library. Responses have been requested by 14 October.
We are doing this in response to one of the main recommendations made to the Government last year by the Chief Medical Officer of England, Sir Liam Donaldson, in The removal, retention and use of human organs and tissue from post-mortem examination.
The knowledge that organs or tissue were removed from someone close to them has brought profound sorrow to many families. We understand their distress and are grateful to those families, and others, who have already offered their views on how things might be improved for the future.
This is a complex area, and while a number of interim measures have been put in place, we need for the future an effective and coherent framework that not only commands widespread support but also has legal force.
The report seeks views on all issues, including organ donation and transplantation, relating to the use of human organs and tissue from the living as well as following post mortem examination. We look forward to receiving views from a wide range of organisations and groups.
NHS and the Private Sector
Lord Temple-Morris asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When they will publish their response to the First Report of the Select Committee on Health on the role of the private sector in the National Health Service.[HL5208]
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Government's response to the First Report of the House of Commons Select Committee on Health on the role of the private sector in the National Health Service, Cm 5567, has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.
Lottery Fund Grant Aid
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many wetland areas have received Heritage Lottery grant aid in the five years ending 31 March 2002.[HL5027]
The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone): The Heritage Lottery Fund has given grant aid to 184 wetland sites in the five years ending 31 March 2002.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many heathland areas have received Heritage Lottery grant aid in the five years ending 31 March 2002.[HL5028]
Baroness Blackstone: The Heritage Lottery Fund has funded 23 heathland projects. Some of these projects cover a number of different sites.
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
- How many schemes the grant aided by the Heritage Lottery have failed in the last three years ending 31 March 2002.[HL5029]
Baroness Blackstone: The Heritage Lottery Fund has not written off any grant payments to failed projects in the last three years ending 31 March 2002.
Downing Street Notepaper
Lord Tebbit asked Her Majesty's Government:
- When the practice of the spouses of Prime Ministers using notepaper headed "From the Office of (spouse's name and professional designation), 10 Downing Street" first arose.[HL4344]
The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn): The notepaper has been in use since 1997 to reply to those people who write to the Prime Minister's spouse in Downing Street. I cannot answer on behalf of previous administrations.
Cabinet Meetings
Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 17 June (WA 68), how, without publication of information on when Cabinet meets and the length of those meetings, they are able to demonstrate the existence of Cabinet government.[HL5047]
Lord Williams of Mostyn: Successive administrations have regarded the ability of Ministers to meet and discuss policy issues in private to be essential for effective decision-making. The number and duration of meetings is no measure of the success of a government. Besides, Cabinet government consists of more than meetings of the Cabinet. In addition to Cabinet itself, there are 52 Cabinet Committees and many ad hoc meetings of Ministers, together with a large volume of correspondence, all of which contribute to the smooth and cohesive running of the Government.
Appellate Committee of the House of Lords
Lord Lester of Herne Hill asked the Chairman of Committees:
- Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Chancellor on 8 July (WA 65), whether he has conducted an appraisal of whether the resources available for the operation of the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords are sufficient to meet the needs of the supreme judicial authority of the United Kingdom; if so, whether he will publish the results of the appraisal; and, if not, whether he will conduct such an appraisal and publish its results.[HL5172]
The Chairman of Committees (Lord Tordoff): There has been no such appraisal, and there are no plans to conduct one in future. The House authorities look sympathetically upon requests from the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary for additional accommodation, but, with the general shortage of suitable offices within the Palace of Westminster, it has not been possible to satisfy them in every case.
Convention on the Future of Europe: Standing Committee
Lord Brabazon of Tara asked the Chairman of Committees:
- When the first meeting of the Standing Committee on the Convention on the Future of Europe will be held.[HL5206]
The Chairman of Committees: As discussed in the House on 24 June, the Commons has appointed a Standing Committee to hear reports from and question the four United Kingdom parliamentary representatives on the Convention on the Future of
Europe. All Members of the House of Lords are invited to attend and participate in the meetings of this committee. The first such meeting will be held on Tuesday 16 July at 7.30 p.m. in Committee Room 14 on the Committee Corridor. The meeting will be held in public. For further information, Members should contact the Clerk to the European Union Committee, Simon Burton, on extension 6083.
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