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Building Regulations
Lord Beaumont of Whitley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether current government figures on the carbon dioxide emissions from housing stock are based on the assumption that there has been 100 per cent compliance with part L of the building regulations. [HL1719]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The final regulatory impact assessment for the 2006 changes to part L of the building regulations assumed full compliance. This was reflected in official government estimates of savings of carbon dioxide emissions from domestic buildings.
Lord Beaumont of Whitley asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any proposals to integrate any part of the code for sustainable homes into the mandatory building regulations by 2010. [HL1720]
Baroness Andrews: The Government plan to integrate the energy efficiency requirements of code level 3 into the building regulations in 2010.
In December 2006, the Government confirmed their intention for all new homes to be zero carbon by 2016 with a progressive tightening of the energy efficiency standards in part L of the building regulations. Compared with the current energy efficiency standards, in 2010 there will be a 25 per cent improvement and by 2013 a 44 per cent improvement, with the zero carbon target set for 2016. This will improve the energy efficiency of the fabric of homes, and encourage the use of energy from renewable sources.
The 25 per cent improvement in energy efficiency for new homes that is required from 2010 is the minimum energy efficiency standard required for a code level 3 home, a 44 per cent improvement for a code level 4 home and the zero carbon component for a code level 6 home.
Central-Local Concordat
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Department of Health following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) that “there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”, (c) that the number of national indicators should be “around 200”; (d) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1729]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December last year. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of this agreement will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.
We are discussing with the LGA how we take forward the concordat, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.
A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.
Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.
The department is working to ensure that each new local area agreement is informed by a joint strategic needs assessment of the local population's health and well-being needs carried out by the local authority, primary care trust and their partners.
In addition, the department launched in December 2007 Putting People First. This concordat was signed up to by the Government and a number of partners, and outlined the direction for the reform and personalisation of social care.
This will give greater control and power to users in determining how and by whom their services are provided. Approximately half a billion pounds will support the reform of the social care system over the next three years.
Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What changes they propose to make to the policies and working arrangements of the Home Office following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): The Central-Local Concordat, agreed between the Government and the Local Government Association (LGA), on behalf of local authorities in England, was signed in December 2007. It commits both parties to a framework of principles to secure a new relationship between central government and local government. Discharging the rights and responsibilities of central government and local government set out in the concordat will require major changes in the behaviour and practice of both parties. The operation of the concordat will be monitored on a continuing basis, through renewed central-local partnership arrangements.
The Home Office is committed to the principles of the concordat and will continue to be involved in discussion with the Department for Communities and Local Government on how to take it forward, focusing on its guiding principles and specific commitments. These include encouraging councils to make effective use of their power to promote the well-being of their area; enabling local government to conduct a growing share of the business of government; central government consulting and collaborating with councils in setting national policies and proposing legislation; reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes and the volume of guidance issued by central government to local authorities; supporting and encouraging strong leadership and effective partnership working at local level; and increasing local democratic accountability of key public services, in particular the police and health services.
A single set of 198 national indicators for local authorities and local authority partnerships was announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 and consultation on detailed definitions of the set concluded on 21 December 2007, with the aim of announcing final decisions in February.
Local authorities across England are currently engaged in discussions with government offices on behalf of all government departments on the content of new-style local area agreements, which will have effect from 2008-09.
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Lord Greaves asked Her Majesty's Government:
What instructions and advice are being given to the Learning and Skills Council concerning changes to its policies and working arrangements following the signing of the Central-Local Concordat on 12 December 2007, both in general and in specific response to the agreement in the concordat (a) “that there should be a presumption that powers are best exercised at the lowest effective and practical level”; (b) that central government undertakes to “progressively remove obstacles which prevent councils from pursuing their role, including reducing the burden of appraisal and approval regimes, the ring-fencing of funds for specific purposes and the volume of guidance it issues”; and (c) that in relation to the negotiation of new-style local area agreements “this objective will require major changes in behaviour and practice from central government departments, their agencies, government offices, councils and local partners”; and what is the process and timetable for such changes. [HL1837]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) is fully committed to the principles set out in the Central-Local Concordat, including in particular the new performance management arrangements for local authorities and their partners, based on a single set of 198 national indicators and a limited number of targets agreed in local area agreements (LAAs). We have ensured that skills are represented in the national indicator set and we are currently working closely with other government departments, government offices, the Learning and Skills Council and others to agree the new LAAs with local authorities and their partners by June.
Statutory guidance, Creating Strong, Safe and Prosperous Communities, was issued by the DCLG for public consultation on 20 November. The consultation closed on 12 February and the aim is to issue the final guidance later this year.
Climate Change: Carbon Capture and Storage
Lord Jenkin of Roding asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the construction of a carbon capture and storage plant and the associated pipeline infrastructure will qualify for credits under the Emissions Trading Scheme. [HL1825]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The details of how carbon capture and storage (CSS) will be included within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) are yet to be finalised. None the less, the current proposal is that CCS installations will not be required to surrender allowances for CO2 that has been captured and stored.
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Disabled People: Suitable Placements
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they are giving to the Local Government Ombudsman's so far unmet calls for the payment by a local authority of up to £100,000 in compensation to the parents of a profoundly disabled daughter who was denied a suitable permanent placement for more than 18 months; and what action they will be taking on this matter. [HL1772]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): The Government have no remit either to comment on or to intervene in individual cases which come before the Local Government Ombudsman. The statute provides that, where a council decides not to implement the recommendations of the ombudsman, it must publish in a local newspaper both the fact that it is refusing to accept the ombudsman's recommendations and its reasons for so doing. The ultimate judgment on the behaviour of the council will be that exercised by the electorate themselves.
Government: Legislative Programme
Lord Foulkes of Cumnock asked Her Majesty's Government:
Which provisions of each Bill announced in the Queen's Speech, or published thereafter, apply to Scotland. [HL1841]
The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Davidson of Glen Clova): The Government have introduced 22 Bills to date during this Session of Parliament. Twenty of these Bills contain provisions that apply directly to Scotland.
Seven Bills introduced within this parliamentary Session contain provisions that trigger the Sewel convention:
Climate Change Bill;Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill;Dormant Bank and Building Society Accounts Bill;Education and Skills Bill;Health and Social Care Bill;Pensions Bill; and Housing and Regeneration Bill.26 Feb 2008 : Column WA114
Under the terms of the Sewel convention, the Government have committed themselves to not normally legislating in a devolved area without the consent of the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Executive have sought, or are in the process of seeking, the Scottish Parliament’s consent for the provisions triggering the convention in each of the Bills highlighted above.
Health: Biosimilar Medicines
Lord Rea asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether advice in the British National Formulary on the non-substitution of medicines is sufficiently prominent; and whether, following the introduction of biosimilars into clinical practice, the British National Formulary will clearly indicate medicines that should not be substituted; and [HL1860]
What discussions they have had with (a) the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and (b) the Joint Formulary Committee, regarding the identification of biosimilar products in the British National Formulary; and [HL1861]
What reassurances they have received from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency about the implementation of pharmacovigilance systems in the use of biosimilar medicines. [HL1862]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which has the responsibility for regulation of medicines in the United Kingdom, operates a pharmacovigilance system for all licensed medicines and has achieved a widespread reputation for excellence in this area. Reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions directly from healthcare professionals and patients (through the yellow card scheme) and from pharmaceutical companies forms one of the most important data sources used by MHRA. Newly licensed medicines undergo intensive monitoring through this scheme and are assigned a “black triangle” in product literature to signify this to healthcare professionals.
Biosimilar medicinal products are new medicines that have been designed to be similar to existing “biological” medicines. Because these medicines are complex and may not be completely identical to the existing medicine, the MHRA intensively monitors approved biosimilar medicines and assigns them black triangle status. It is also mandatory for the applicant to submit an appropriate risk management plan at the time of the initial marketing authorisation (MA) application, which is assessed to ensure that the applicant has demonstrated that adequate arrangements are in place for continued safety evaluation.
The MHRA encourages MA holders for biosimilar products to give them a brand name so that there is no confusion or inadvertent substitution between the generic and original medicines, in relation to prescribing or dispensing. The MHRA also encourages the use of brand names for adverse drug reaction reporting in
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The British National Formulary (BNF) usually reflects the safety information contained within the summary of product characteristics that relates to the product and includes black triangles where appropriate. The MHRA has raised the subject of biosimilar medicines with the BNF, highlighting the MHRA policy to intensively monitor these medicines. The MHRA also provides the BNF editorial team with a copy of each monthly edition of its bulletin Drug Safety Update, in which prescribing and adverse drug reaction reporting issues for biosimilar medicines were raised very recently. However, the BNF takes advice on this from expert clinical advisers and the BNF Joint Formulary Committee, on which the MHRA is represented.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain's Professional Standards and Guidance for the Sale and Supply of Medicines provides advice to pharmacists on the supply of prescribed medicines. This states that, except in an emergency, a specifically named product should not be substituted by any other product without the approval of the patient, or carer and the prescriber, and in the case of hospital drugs, the approval of the therapeutics committee, or in line with other similar locally agreed protocols.
Health: Dentistry
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): In England, all those aged under 18 are exempt from National Health Service dental charges along with other groups such as those on benefits and pregnant women. Dental treatment carried out by a hospital dentist is also free. Information on who is exempt from charges is available to the public via all dental practices, primary care trusts or at: www.nhs.uk/Healthcosts/Pages/Dentalcosts.aspx.
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