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The EC marine strategy framework directive (Council Directive 2008/56/EC) requires member states to establish marine protected areas (MPAs) in their waters as a means of achieving good environmental status. The Government consider that marine conservation zones, as proposed in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, combined with marine SACs and SPAs, will provide the UK with valuable tools to help meet this requirement.
NHS: Nurses
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a shortage of practice nurses in the National Health Service in London; and, if so, what that shortage is. [HL3735]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to determine the staff levels required to ensure that the health services they commission meet the needs of the communities they serve.
The following table shows the number of practice nurses in each of the London PCT areas as at 30 September 2008, which is the latest data available to the department.
The Information Centre for health and social care General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
(1) 2006 data have been used as an estimate for these PCTs
(2) 2007 data have been used as an estimate for these PCTs
Workforce statistics are compiled from data sent by more than 300 NHS trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. 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 and the effect of missing and invalid data. Processing methods and procedures are continually being updated to improve data quality. Where this happens any impact on figures already published will be assessed but unless this is significant at national level they will not be changed. Where there is impact only at detailed or local level this will be footnoted in relevant analyses.
NHS: Pharmaceutical Services
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 30 April (WA 70), whether they are consulting patient representatives on the proposals to introduce generic substitution by pharmacists of branded medicines prescribed under the National Health Service. [HL3750]
1 Jun 2009 : Column WA49
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): This is a complex issue with many interested stakeholders, including patients and their representative groups. Whilst we have not yet met with any such groups, we want to make sure we engage with all stakeholders in the best way possible and are currently considering how best to do so.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing legislation to abolish the strict criminal liability of pharmacists who make an error when dispensing a medicine; and what representations they have received on the subject. [HL3751]
Lord Darzi of Denham: The Government have received a number of representations from interested parties on this subject in response to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's recent call for views as part of its project to develop a medicines legislative framework which is comprehensive, comprehensible and fit for current purpose.
NHS: Private Patients
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to ask private sector users of NHS services to pay more for NHS equipment and technology in the future. [HL3856]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): It is for National Health Service trusts and NHS foundation trusts to decide on appropriate charges for use by the private sector of NHS equipment and technology, within the regulatory frameworks in which trusts and foundation trusts operate.
North Korea: Illegal Entry
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made about the two American journalists Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who will stand trial in North Korea on 4 June, following their arrest at the Tumen River. [HL3767]
The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The Government are concerned about the continued detention of Euna Lee and Laura Ling. Senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials raised the case with the North Korean ambassador on 23 April. Our ambassador in Pyongyang also raised it on 30 April 2009 in a meeting with the deputy director for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We remain in close consultation with the US State Department and other partners on how we can best support their efforts.
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Northern Ireland Act
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland's team investigating the impact of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland took account of whether prisoners were convicted of paramilitary-type offences. [HL3740]
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland team investigating the impact of Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 on the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland conducted interviews in seven prisons in the Republic of Ireland; and what were the findings. [HL3741]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: These are operational matters for Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland, which operates independently of government. I would encourage the noble Lord to write to the chief inspector, Dr Michael Maguire.
Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received a business plan for 2009—10 for the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and, if so, whether they will place a copy in the Library of the House. [HL3575]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's 2009-10 draft business plan has been submitted to the sponsor division in the Northern Ireland Office for consideration.
Once the 2009-10 business plan is finalised, a copy will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what will be their reaction to any request by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission for extra funding identified in the August and November monitoring rounds of last year. [HL3576]
Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: As stated in my Answer of 11 May, Official Report (col. WA164), documentation relating to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission's August and November monitoring returns last year, including the Northern Ireland Office's responses to requests for funding, has already been placed in the Library of this House. In summary, the commission was granted an additional £92,000 during the year.
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