| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Lord Harrison asked Her Majesty's Government:
What special measures they will introduce for those in the Asian population over 60 who contract diabetes. [HL4576]
Lord Warner: The Government are aware that people of south Asian origin are up to six times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
The explicit objectives of the National Service Framework for Diabetes include the provision of services that are person centred, enabling people with diabetes to adopt a healthier lifestyle and to manage their own diabetes through education and support that recognises the importance of lifestyle, culture and religion, and where necessary, tackles the adverse impact of material disadvantage and social exclusion. Services should be equitable, planned to meet the needs of the population, including specific groups within the population, and appropriate to needs of the individual. Therefore, primary care trusts will need to develop services that reflect these principles by looking at diversity and need in their own populations.
1 Nov 2004 : Column WA12
Epilepsy
Lord Smith of Leigh asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the light of the effect that epilepsy has on a child's ability to learn and memorise, they issue advice to examination boards, local education authorities and schools to ensure sympathetic treatment of children suffering from epilepsy. [HL4565 ]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Skills (Lord Filkin): Guidance on how to ensure that candidates with special medical conditions such as epilepsy have appropriate access to examinations is issued by the Joint Council for Qualifications. The joint council's current guidance is published in the document Regulations and Guidance Relating to Candidates who are Eligible for Adjustments in Examinations; which is available at http:/www.jcgg.org.uk/index2.asp.
The DfES and DoH joint guidance Supporting pupils with medical needs: a good practice guide aims to assist schools in drawing up policies on medication in schools and establishing effective management systems to support pupils with medical needs. The guide identifies the four most common childhood conditions that schools may be asked to support—anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes and epilepsy.
The SEN code of practice provides statutory guidance to local education authorities (LEAs), maintained schools, early education settings and others (including health and social services) on carrying out their statutory duties to make suitable provision for children with special educational needs, including those with medical needs.
Canals
Lord Fearn asked Her Majesty's Government:
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey): Canals in England and Wales are used for a variety of purposes but predominantly for leisure and tourist activities such as boating, walking, cycling and angling. They therefore make an important contribution to tourism in this country.
Customs and Excise: Confiscation of Products for Personal Consumption
Lord Lawson of Blaby asked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the lowest quantity of cigarettes or alcohol brought into this country for personal consumption which has been confiscated by HM Customs and Excise. [HL4591]
Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Travellers entering the UK from countries outside the EU are entitled to a statutory allowance and Customs may seize any quantity of cigarettes or alcohol over these limits.
For a transitional period limits also remain in place on the amount of tobacco products that travellers can bring back from eight of the member states that joined the EU on 1 May 2004, and again, any amounts in excess of these restrictions may be seized.
Customs do not confiscate EU duty paid tobacco and alcohol from travellers entering the UK from the existing pre 1 May 2004 member states of the EU where they believe those goods are for their own use.
Pensions Appeal Tribunal: Suspended General Medical Practitioners
The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is appropriate that a general medical practitioner whose registration was suspended by the General Medical Council in February 2000 should continue to be a medical adviser to the War Pensions Appeal Tribunal. [HL4441]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): There may be grounds for the Lord Chancellor to remove a medical member of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal who has had their registration suspended by the General Medical Council. Such suspension may invalidate their statutory qualifications as a tribunal member, or otherwise raise doubts as to their suitability for the position.
It would, of course, be impossible to comment on whether a particular general medical practitioner should be suspended from their position as a medical member of the tribunal until the full facts of the matter have been assessed. If the noble Countess has a particular case in mind, I invite her to write back to me with further details so the matter can be properly investigated.
Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs
Lord Hoyle asked Her Majesty's Government:
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: High Sheriffs in most of England and Wales are appointed by Her Majesty in Council. Their formal role is now largely ceremonial but they are also involved in the encouragement of charitable and community work in their respective counties. They receive no remuneration.
1 Nov 2004 : Column WA14
Lord Lieutenants are appointed by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, following soundings in the county concerned.
The main duties of a Lord Lieutenant are: arranging visits of members of the Royal Family and escorting royal visitors; encouragement of voluntary and civic activity within the lieutenancy; presentation of medals and awards on behalf of Her Majesty; liaison with local units of the Armed Forces and their associated cadet forces; and, especially in the shire counties, leadership of the local magistracy as chairman of the advisory committee on justices of the peace, and carrying out the duties of Keeper of the Rolls.
Northern Ireland: Inquests
Baroness Blood asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many cases of death were awaiting inquest in Northern Ireland on 1 September; and what steps are being taken to reduce the backlog in such cases awaiting inquest in Northern Ireland. [HL4570]
Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Information on the number of cases awaiting inquest in Northern Ireland is not available as the decision to hold an inquest is a discretionary power exercised by the coroner. It is only when a coroner has carried out investigations into the death that he can reach a decision whether or not to hold an inquest or dispose of the case by other means.
An increase of the coronial judicial complement of one additional full-time deputy and one additional part-time coroner was made in October 2001 to address backlogs and the handling of complex inquests. Also, in order to improve the administrative support for the Coroners Service, a number of additional staff have been appointed to court offices to provide enhanced administrative support for part-time coroners. In more complex cases, counsel are appointed to assist the coroner with the presentation of evidence at inquests.
In February 2004, the Northern Ireland Court Service published for public consultation proposals for administrative redesign of the Coroners Service. These proposals are intended to modernise and improve the service to relatives of the deceased person.
People with Disabilities
Lord Morris of Manchester asked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration they have given to the publication by John Grooms, a charity providing services for people with disabilities, of Life is a lucky dip for disabled people; and whether they will take any action in regard to its recommendations. [HL4581]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham): The recommendations made by the John Grooms charity span the interests of a number of government departments. As the report was published only very recently, departments are still studying the report and its recommendations.
1 Nov 2004 : Column WA15
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |