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Government: Minister for the East of England
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions the Minister for the East of England has visited (a) the east of England and (b) Essex since her appointment. [HL4692]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): Since her appointment, the Minister for the East of England has undertaken 23 official visits to the east of England, three of which were to Essex. A fourth visit to Essex will take place following the Summer Recess.
Health: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many treatments for depression using the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, Beating the Blues, have been commissioned by primary care trusts since March 2007; and [HL4765]
What estimate they have made of how many people are currently able to access National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy treatments at their local primary care trusts; and [HL4766]
What steps they are taking to extend access to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy across England. [HL4767]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The detailed information is not held centrally.
However, the Government are investing annual funding rising to £173 million in the third year (2010-11), to train 3,600 extra therapists and treat 900,000 more people in those three years.
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme is relieving distress and transforming lives by offering National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) evidence-based treatments to people with depression and anxiety disorders. Computerised cognitive behavioural therapy is recommended by NICE and, where clinicians feel appropriate, can be offered as part of a broader package of care.
Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many primary care trusts provide National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy at a level sufficient to meet NICE guidelines; and [HL4792]
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What assessment they have made of the provision of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence- approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy treatments nationally. [HL4793]
Lord Darzi of Denham: The information requested about how many primary care trusts (PCTs) provide National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)-approved computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (CCBT) is not held centrally.
CCBT is recommended by the NICE technology appraisal TA097, and the directions on NICE appraisals impose an obligation on PCTs to ensure that CCBT is normally available to be prescribed or supplied and administered to patients.
The department's role is to set out a strategic framework and secure adequate funding for the NHS and adult care services. PCTs are responsible for providing local health services, including the provision of CCBT, and together with their strategic health authorities are responsible for deciding which services to plan, commission and develop to meet the health needs of their local communities.
NICE published its guidance Computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Depression and Anxiety in February 2004. NICE will be consulting on review plans for this guidance in September 2008.
Health: Cord Blood
Baroness Cumberlege asked Her Majesty's Government:
What stakeholder meetings have taken place as part of the Department of Health review of cord blood; and [HL4797]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Departmental officials have been assisted in the cord blood review by the consultancy firm Technopolis Ltd. The total cost for this work will be £65,682.50.
As part of the review, an expert workshop was held on 28 May 2008 with nearly 40 delegates, including representatives from the Anthony Nolan Trust and the private cord blood banking industry.
Health: Vaccines
Earl Howe asked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the recent review of the National Health Service by Lord Darzi of Denham, whether they will extend the proposals to speed up the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence appraisals process for new therapeutic drugs to the assessment of vaccines. [HL4762]
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The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is responsible for assessing vaccines. Its Terms of Reference are:
“To advise the Secretaries of State for Health, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on matters relating to communicable diseases, preventable and potentially preventable through immunisation”.
Homelessness
Lord Roberts of Llandudno asked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they will take to encourage local authorities in London to introduce a pan-London programme to help the homeless and rough sleepers. [HL4645]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): We are working to publish an updated rough sleeping strategy in the autumn, building on the achievements of the past 10 years. In April, we published a discussion paper, Rough Sleeping 10 Years On: From the Streets to Independent Living and Opportunity, which set out our initial thinking on updating the strategy. This included the proposal that, to secure effective delivery of the updated strategy, we would work to facilitate a new London delivery partnership to renew the drive to bring and keep entrenched rough sleepers in, work with those most at risk to prevent rough sleeping, and improve opportunities and outcomes for former rough sleepers. We have received a good response to the discussion paper, and are now analysing responses.
The Government are committed to sustaining the two-thirds reduction in rough sleeping in England and further to reduce numbers, particularly in London. In December 2007 we announced homelessness grant funding of £200 million over the next three years. This is the biggest ever cash injection for homelessness services.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [HL]
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many amendments Ministers have tabled to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill since it was introduced; how many hours of debate have been held on such amendments; and what proportion of text in the current version of the Bill was altered by amendments tabled by Ministers. [HL4743]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): In total, 131 amendments to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill were tabled by Ministers during its passage through the House of Lords, and 118 amendments, many reflecting changes proposed in the
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Iraq and Afghanistan: Northern Ireland Regiments
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have to mark the role played by the Royal Irish Regiment and other service members from Northern Ireland in Iraq and Afghanistan. [HL4816]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): Plans are currently under way to recognise members of the Armed Forces from Northern Ireland, including members of the Royal Irish Regiment, who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Larne Borough Council has conferred the Freedom of the Borough of Larne on the Royal Irish Regiment and discussions are under way between the council and the regiment for it to receive this honour in the autumn. In addition, a number of other councils have been in discussion with Headquarters Northern Ireland and 38 (Irish) Brigade about the possibility of them facilitating “welcoming home” parades for the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland.
On 4 May, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland hosted a party for the family members of service personnel who were on operational service overseas, in order to demonstrate his support not only for those deployed on operations but for the children and family members who wait at home for their safe return.
On 2 June, the Minister for Health in the Northern Ireland Executive hosted a reception for 204 (Northern Ireland) Field Hospital (Volunteers) prior to members from that unit deploying to Afghanistan.
Olympic Games 2012: Weymouth
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
What action the South West Regional Development Agency is taking to maximise cruise ship tourism in connection with the 2012 Olympic events at Weymouth, in particular to encourage such ships to visit other south-west ports.[HL4784]
Lord Davies of Oldham: South West RDA and South West Tourism will maintain their relationship with Destination South West. Destination South West (DSW) is a partnership bringing together organisations from across the region to increase and sustain the number of cruise ships that call at the south-west ports. The partnership is funded by contributions from partners and the European Union Regional Development Fund. The partners include ports, tourist attractions, local government and other public and private sector organisations.
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Destination South West is proposing that it works with the international cruise lines and other marine related organisations to deliver themed itineraries that would encourage cruise ships to be based in the south-west ports throughout the Olympics; with the addition of day and overnight visits to London for Olympic events. It also wishes to investigate opportunities for providing floating accommodation at the events and to serve the main London programmes.
Weymouth and Portland are the centre of significant regeneration and development activity; some £370 million of public and private sector investment is in the pipeline, including the development of the Pavilion site (£120 million, mainly private), Osprey Quay (£150 million public/private split), the relief road from Dorchester to Weymouth (£84 million) and improvements to the railway station (part of the Olympic transport package which costs £18 million).
The South West RDA is supporting a DCMS Sea Change bid which will complement and add value to other investment and will focus on creating public places that can be the setting for events and activities, the creation of cultural and historic routes through the town and the development of a creative industries centre through refurbishment of a building. This is a £3 million bid to the Sea Change programme. Other funding is from local partners and other bids. This includes funding for new public art as part of the regeneration programme.
Lord Berkeley asked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the South West Regional Development Agency has budgeted to ensure a legacy for south-west ports and tourism after the 2012 Olympic events at Weymouth. [HL4785]
Lord Davies of Oldham: The South West Regional Development Agency (RDA) has developed the South West England Strategy for the 2012 Games, which focuses on five key legacy areas: business development, sporting opportunity, tourism and regional image, community engagement and cultural celebration; with a framework fund of £2.9 million over three years.
South West RDA is investing over £2 million per year for three years to implement its tourism strategy, “Towards 2015.” They will invest to improve quality and skills and to support new developments in tourism. Each destination (DMO) receives £50,000 per year for the development of local partnerships and initiatives. South West RDA also invests in public realm projects designed to have a positive impact on visitors to the region in the lead up to and after the Olympics.
South West RDA is also an active partner and contributor to the Welcome to Britain project and Partners for England.
Pesticides
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the proposed banning of pyrethroids will extend to household products for the treatment of flea, mite and tick infestations; and [HL4569]
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Whether the inclusion of glyphosate on the proposed European Union list of banned pesticides will cover products used in private gardens, and by gardeners employed in the public sector by organisations such as the National Trust; and [HL4570]
What assessment has been made of the effect on the environment of banning all the pesticides on the proposed European Union list; and what products they will recommend that local authorities, the Highways Agency and British Waterways use to control pests and weeds; and [HL4571]
Further to the Written Statement by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 24 June (Official Report, Commons, 6—7 WS), why the co-decision proposal updating the rules on placing plant protection products on the market was to be adopted by the council without further discussion; whether this is normal procedure; and, if so, what rules decide which proposals are adopted in that way. [HL4572]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The Agriculture and Fisheries Council reached political agreement on 23 June on a compromise text of the Slovenian presidency for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the council concerning the placing of plant protection products (essentially agricultural pesticides) on the market. The Government expect the text to be adopted as the common position of the council and communicated to the European Parliament for its second reading in the autumn, in accordance with the codecision procedure laid down in Article 251 of the treaty.
The regulation will extend to all uses of plant protection products within the scope defined in the text, including those authorised for amateur use and for use in public gardens. It will not, however, extend to uses of household products for treatments such as flea, mite and tick infestations within the scope of Directive 98/8/EC concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market.
The eventual effects of the regulation cannot be predicted with certainty at this stage. The Pesticides Safety Directorate has published an assessment of the potential impact of proposals for approval criteria based on hazard and for comparative assessment and substitution of substances approved as candidates for substitution. A copy of the report, which considers 286 active substances, including glyphosate and pyrethroids, has been put in the Library of the House. It will not be possible to confirm which substances are likely to be caught by the regulation, and which are likely to remain available for continued use to control pests and weeds, until the negotiations are concluded and its provisions have been finalised.
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Police: Northern Ireland
Lord Laird asked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Tunnicliffe on 24 June (WA 236) concerning a Police Service of Northern Ireland officer injured in a recent car bomb, whether he has been replaced for day-to-day work purposes. [HL4485]
Lord Rooker: The Chief Constable has provided me with the following answer:
I refer the noble Lord to the Answer given on 24 June, Official Report, col. WA 236 and would also advise him that while the injured officer remains on sick absence, his post will not be filled on a permanent basis.
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