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Organophosphates
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government what system is in place to alert medical practitioners and pharmacists to the effects of prescribing drugs that act on the acetylcholine system to individuals whose health has been affected by exposure to organophosphates. [HL4559]
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To ask Her Majesty's Government how many adverse reactions to drugs that act on the acetylcholine system have been reported to affect patients who have suffered ill health after exposure to organophosphates. [HL4560]
To ask Her Majesty's Government what research has been conducted into the effects of drugs that affect the acetylcholine system on patients who have reported illness following exposure to organophosphates. [HL4561]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): Many drugs in different areas of medicine act on the acetylcholine system. The safety of all medicines is continually monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Potential new safety issues are evaluated and new prescribing advice is issued to health professionals and patients as necessary. Information on the safe use of licensed medicines is available to health professionals and patients in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet which are produced by the manufacturer and approved by the MHRA. Another important source of information on safe use of medicines is the British National Formulary.
Systems in place to inform health professionals of new information on the safety of medicines and new prescribing advice include the monthly bulletin from the MHRA, Drug Safety Update and, for urgent messages, the Central Alerting System, which cascades information to health professionals.
The yellow card scheme is the United Kingdom system for collecting and monitoring information on suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs). A search of the MHRA Sentinel database of ADR reports has not identified any reports of ADRs in individuals whose health has been affected by exposure to organophosphates. Reports submitted through the yellow card scheme would not necessarily contain information such as occupational exposure to organophosphates.
The MHRA is not aware of research into the effects of drugs that affect the acetylcholine system on patients who have reported illness following exposure to organophosphates. If, however, any new information emerges the MHRA will review it carefully and seek expert advice as necessary.
Population
Question
Asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many households in the United Kingdom comprised one person in the latest year for which figures are available; and how that compares with historical trends. [HL4523]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government & Department for Work and Pensions (Lord McKenzie of Luton): Estimates for the United Kingdom are not available.
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The latest estimates for England, based on the Office for National Statistics Labour Force Survey, is that there were 6,154,000 single-person households in 2008. Annual estimates from 2000 to 2008 are as follows:
| Year | Estimated number of one-person households in England |
Prisoners: Deportation
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many foreign national prisoners who have completed their sentences but have not yet been deported are in (a) one of Her Majesty's prisons, and (b) an immigration centre. [HL4179]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord West of Spithead): In 2008, we deported or removed a record 5,395 foreign national prisoners.
The chief executive of the UK Border Agency indicated to the PAC at the beginning of March 2009 the numbers of foreign national prisoners who have been detained pending deportation. Action fluctuated in 2008 from a low of around 1,600 to a high of around 1,750, reflecting the increased numbers of individuals that are going through the deportation system. At any time, approximately one quarter of those detained pending deportation action are in the prison estate.
Schools: Specialist Services
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what guidance they will give to ensure universal thresholds are agreed for accessing support through specialist or targeted services in schools. [HL4631]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Children, Schools and Families (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): In the autumn, we will publish a consultation document setting out how we plan to improve early intervention by local services for children and families who need extra help. Our intention is to develop a national framework for early intervention which sets out clear systems, roles and responsibilities together with evidence-based approaches for supporting children and families in difficult circumstances. This will ensure clarity over when and how specialist or targeted services can be accessed through schools.
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Shipping: Ferry Operators
Questions
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 29 June (WA 23), what action the Maritime and Coastguard Agency took when it became aware that the MV "CANNA" did not have a valid passenger certificate between 1 September and 11 September 2008. [HL4698]
The Secretary of State for Transport (Lord Adonis): Further to my Answer of 29 June (Official Report, col. WA23) the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigated why the MV "CANNA" did not hold a valid passenger certificate between 1 and 11 September 2008. In this case, prosecution action was not considered necessary. The vessel had been satisfactorily surveyed within the previous year and the MCA accepted that there had been reasonable cause for misunderstanding about the period of validity of the previous passenger certificate. The MCA instructed the vessel owners to review their company safety management system to incorporate procedures and safeguards to ensure that all future statutory survey range dates are checked and that the related paperwork issued to them is correct.
To ask Her Majesty's Government in how many cases since 1997 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been made aware that passenger sea ferries have worked without valid passenger certificates for any length of time. [HL4699]
Lord Adonis: If the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is made aware of vessels trading without a valid passenger certificate, it will investigate and take the appropriate action. Of those cases referred to the MCA's enforcement unit since 2003 only one involved a passenger sea ferry and resulted in prosecution. Prior to 2003 the MCA did not record this information centrally.
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 29 June (WA 23) indicating that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency became aware on 3 October 2008 that the MV "CANNA" did not hold a valid passenger certificate between 1 September 2008 and 11 September 2008, why the Agency issued a short-term passenger certificate to the ferry on 12 September 2008, as indicated in the Written Answer by Lord Adonis on 17 June (WA 216-17). [HL4773]
Lord Adonis: Further to my Answers of 17 June (Official Report, cols. WA 216-17) and 29 June (Official Report, cols. WA 23) after a satisfactory in-water survey the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) issued a short-term passenger certificate on 12 September because the operator of the MV "CANNA" was unable
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Teachers: Qualifications
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the timetable for implementing the requirement for teachers to hold a master's degree. [HL4588]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Children, Schools and Families (Baroness Morgan of Drefelin): The Children's Plan sets out our ambition to make teaching a masters-level profession by introducing a new qualification-the Masters in Teaching and Learning (MTL). The MTL will be rolled out during the 2009-10 academic year to newly qualified teachers (NQTs) in the north-west region and NQTs in National Challenge schools and schools in challenging circumstances taking up post from September 2009. It is intended that all teachers should have an opportunity to achieve the MTL and we are currently working with the Training Development Agency on future rollout plans. Participation in the MTL qualification is voluntary.
Territorial Army
Question
Asked by Lord Wallace of Saltaire
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many personnel from the Jersey Territorial Army Unit have served on operational deployments with British forces since 1999; where they have served; and for what periods. [HL4713]
The Minister for International Defence and Security (Baroness Taylor of Bolton): The Jersey Field Squadron (Militia) attached to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) have deployed 29 individuals on operations in support of British Forces since August 1999.
They served in Bosnia during August 1999; May 2000 and July 2001; Iraq in Operation TELIC from 2003 to 2007; and in Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 6 from 2007-08 for up to six months at a time with some individuals deploying twice.
Tourism: Holiday Lettings
Question
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations HM Treasury has received in favour of the proposed changes to the furnished holiday lettings rules announced in the Budget in April. [HL4604]
The Financial Services Secretary to the Treasury (Lord Myners): The Treasury has received a number of representations on this subject. In addition, there was a debate in the Finance Bill Committee on Thursday 25 June.
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