§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Administration of Radiocative Substances Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I am in daily 361W receipt of written advice from members of this committee, which last met on 11 April 1980. Its advice has been used to determine appropriate qualifications, experience and available facilities for holders of certificates to administer radioactive substances.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980. c. 97]: The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances wrote to me on 25 April with the recommendations made at its meeting on 26 March. The committee's recommendations form the basis for the Health Department's decisions on what preparations may be regarded as drugs if prescribed by family doctors and hence be accepted as a proper charge to the National Health Service.
I shall arrange for the committee's recommendations to be published in the Drug Tariff; I shall also ask the editor of the Monthly Index of Medical Specialities (MIMS) to continue to carry the recommendations in his publication; I shall ensure that the Prescription Pricing Authority, which carries out the Department's monitoring of family doctors' prescribing, is made aware of the latest recommendations.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: On 18 January; I have accepted its recommendations.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Irradiation of Food; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: At its meeting on 4 June 1979 the committee formulated advice relating to draft measures, providing controls on irradiation as a method 362W of processing certain foodstuffs, under consideration by the Codex Alimentarius, a body jointly responsible to the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation. This advice was of assistance in subsequent negotiations on the draft measures.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training Allowances; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I last received written advice in August 1979; I accepted that advice.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Advisory Group on Testing for Hepatitis B; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee is currently revising a report drawn up by its predecessor and published in 1976.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Breast Cancer Screening Trials Working Group; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The advice of the Breast Cancer Screening Trials Working Group was last obtained at its meeting on 4 March 1980. It has since been used to guide the conduct of the trials and studies associated with them.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary State for Social Services when last he received written notice from the Advisory Advisory Committee on Rural Practice Payments; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Central Advisory Committee on Rural Practice Payments advises me on the operation of the rural practice payments scheme which provides, in certain circumstances, for special payments to rural general medical practitioners. The committee meets when 363W necessary and its advice is reflected in the payments made under the scheme. The membership is drawn from my Department and the profession's representatives. It has not needed to meet in recent years, but it remains an agreed and convenient forum for discussing matters relating to the scheme when they arise. No measure-able savings would be made if it were abolished.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Central Advisory Committee on War Pensions; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: Advice from the Central Advisory Committee is usually given orally at an annual meeting with Ministers. Written advice was last sought in December 1976 and this resulted in the institution of a dependency allowance in place of the wife and child allowances payable with war disablement pension.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Central Joint Committee of Medical and Pharmaceutical Professions on the Rural Dispensing Standstill; and what action he has taken as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 may 1980, c. 97]: the Central Joint Committee of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Professions on the Rural Dispensing Standstill gives advice to local joint committees of the two professions, not to me.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Child Health Computing Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 may 1980, c. 97]: The Child Health Computing Committee last gave advice on 27 March 1980. As a result, further development of the child health computer system is proceeding. In particular, action is being taken to consult users on the outline proposals for the school health part of the system.
364W
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Children's Joint Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I last received written advice from the committee in March 1980 recommending an increase in, and index-linking of, child benefit.
In my reply, I explained that although the social security programme could not be exempt from the intention to control public spending, the increase in child benefit announced in the Budget would ensure that most working families would be better off than they would have been if the former system of family allowances and child tax allowances had continued and been uprated in line with prices.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) when last he received written advice from the Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials; and what action he has taken since as a result;
(2) when last he received written advice from the Committee on the Review of Medicines; and what action he has taken since as a result;
(3) when last he received written advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines; and what action he has taken since as a result;
(4) when last he received written advice from the Medicines Commission; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Medicines Commission, the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the Committee on the Review of Medicines and the Committee on Dental and Surgical Materials provide a continuous flow of written advice on general matters and on individual cases concerned with the safety, quality and efficacy of medicinal products and related subjects; the action that is taken on such matters depends on the particular circumstances.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Committee on Gynaecological Cytology; and 365W what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee advises my Department on screening for cervical cancer and at the last meeting on 15 November 1979 detailed consideration was given to a report on the national recall system, by which women are recalled for repeat smears. The committee's recommendations on this matter are under consideration.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy approved on 8 June 1979 a report on foods which simulate meat, since published as "Report on Health and Social Subjects No. 17, 1980". I shall be considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the need for regulations to implement the report's recommendations for minimum levels of certain nutrients to be contained in textured vegetable protein products which simulate meat.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Committee on Radiation from Radioactive Medical Products; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee last met on 11 April 1980. The advice in the form of minutes of the meeting has since been used to reply to a product licence application.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Committee on Restrictions Against Disabled People was appointed by my predecessor 366W to conduct an investigation into discrimination against disabled people. It has been asked to report in 1981.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Coordinating Committee on Medical Aspects of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The coordinating committee does not directly advise me, but monitors the work of the independent advisory committees which advise Her Majesty's Government on toxicology. At its last meeting on 17 January 1980 the committee considered a number of items. These included the report of the Lawther working party subsequently published as "Lead and Health "; proposals for reports on mutagenicity and carcinogenicity testing; the Shipham study on cadmium pollution; and nitrates in food.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Dangerous Pathogens Advisory Group; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Dangerous Pathogens Advisory Group last met on 25 January 1980 when, in accordance with its terms of reference, it furnished my Department with advice on the suitability of particular laboratories to carry out work with specified pathogenic organisms. This guidance was taken into account in the subsequent Departmental recommendations to the laboratories concerned.
The responsibilities and constitution of the group are currently under consideration.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Dental Rates Study Group; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Dental Rates Study Group last reported to me 367W on 19 July 1979. I agreed the new fee scale for NHS dental services recommended by the group and this was introduced on 1 October 1979.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Food Hygiene Advisory Council; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: On 13 March the council considered and endorsed proposals circulated widely by my Department for strengthening the legal controls on the sale of food unfit for human consumption. The council's views will be taken into account, along with those of the other bodies consulted, when a convenient opportunity arises for introducing amending legislation.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Health Services Human Growth Hormone Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee meets quarterly and its minutes are circulated within my Department. It has broad responsibilities for the selection of patients, determining therapeutic regimens, monitoring overall supply and demand for human growth hormone for National Health Service patients, and general surveillance of the safety and efficacy of this treatment which is still in the developmental stage. I should not expect to be personally approached by it unless some particular situation arose in which it wished me to intervene.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and I last received advice from the committee in a letter dated 5 December 1979 from the chairman, Lord Hunter of Newington. The committee's recommendations provide 368W a valuable contribution to the discussions which my right hon. Friends and I are having with the tobacco industry on what should follow the existing voluntary agreements.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Independent Advisory Committee on the Howie Code; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: In December 1979 the committee provided advice on a number of questions concerning the implementation of the " Howie " code of practice on safety in clinical laboratories. This advice was made available to the NHS and other appropriate bodies in February 1980 in the form of a bulletin. The work of the committee is continuing.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I last received advice from the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council on 19 December 1979, when it recommended that occupational vitiligo should be included in the list of industrial diseases for which industrial injuries benefits can be paid. Regulations to implement this recommendation are being prepared. They will be laid before Parliament later this year.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Joint Inducements Payments Committee: and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The Joint Inducements Payments Committee gives informal advice to the Secretary of State for Wales and me on inducement payments to general medical practitioners practising in areas where it is essential to maintain medical practices, but because of sparse population or other reasons practices would not otherwise be 369W viable. The Committee, which normally meets annually, last met in September 1979 and payments have been made to doctors in accordance with its advice.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the National Health Service Computer Policy Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The National Health Service Computer Policy Committee last gave advice on 13 December 1979. As a result of its advice, action is being taken to improve the management
Date of Report Subject Action taken June 1978 … Review of ambulance training and programme of induction training Report issued to health authorities January 1979 … Review of national training scheme for cooks in hospitals Training for on-the-job trainers is being arranged January 1979 … Recruitment, training and career development of sterile supply service managers Steps being taken to set up a training centre February 1979 … Review of national training schemes in catering and domestic services management Changes recommended have been implemented May 1979 … Recruitment and career development of Administrators Report issued to health authorities August 1979 … " Secondment for Development " of Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Report issued to health authorities January 1980 … Developing the managerial role of qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors working in clinical situations Report issued to health authorities April 1980 … Comments on " Patients First " … … Under consideration
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the National Health Service Purchasing Advisory Groups; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I receive advice from the National Health Service Purchasing Advisory Groups on a regular and continuous basis. Where appropriate my Department promulgates this advice to all health authorities.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the National
370Wof the NHS regional computer bureaux's standardisation programme.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received advice from the National Health Service National Staff Committees: and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: Much of the advice and guidance of the national staff committee is provided in direct discussion with officers of the Department and in dialogue with health authorities and their staffs.
The formal advisory reports I have received in the past two years are listed below:
Training Council for the National Health Service; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: Most of the council's advice is given in discussion with officers of the Department and of the NHS on particular proposals relating to training policy or activities. Fields covered have included use of central finance; industrial relations training; programmes of management education for senior staff, including doctors and other professional groups; the role of the national education centres and the scale of their activities; policy and management 371W arrangements for the studies at Harrogate and the training aids unit.
Date of Report Subject Action taken February 1977 … Review of the Relationship between Nationally and Regionally Commissioned Management Education and Training Forms the basis of current Departmental policy June 1978 … Preparation and Follow up for Management Training Courses: A Reference Manual for Line Managers Personnel and Training Specialists and Course Tutors Commended to Service June 1978 … Review of Centrally Financed Management Training Courses for Senior NHS Officers Implemented May 1979 … Report of a Study of Information on Training matters in the NHS Issued to the Service for information and guidance May 1979 … Management Education and Training in the NHS Issued to the Service for consultation June 1979 … An Education and Training Technology Service for the NHS It has been decided not to implement these recommendations in present circumstances April 1980 … Advice on " Patients First " … … … Under consideration May 1980 … Report to the NTC for the NHS by its Training Resources Working Party Under consideration
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Postgraduate Training Allowance Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: I last received written advice in August 1979; I accepted that advice.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Radiological Advisory Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee last met on 4 October 1979. Its advice has been of assistance to my Department on a number of matters relevant to radiology and radiation protection.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the Scientific and Technical Committee for the Central Blood Laboratories; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The committee advises from time to time on scientific and technical issues relating to the management of the central blood laboratories. It does not produce written advice, other
372WAction taken on formal reports to me giving council advice is listed below:
than in the form of notes of meetings. It last met on 23 April 1980.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the United Kingdom Transplant Management Committee; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: The functions of this committee are mainly concerned with the work of United Kingdom Transplant, which undertakes the matching of organs for transplantation throughout the United Kingdom. The committee does not normally give me written advice, but officers of my Department attend its meetings. Action on its recommendations is taken by the Director of United Kingdom Transplant or by my Department as appropriate.
§ Mr. Philip Hollandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when last he received written advice from the war pensions committees; and what action he has taken since as a result.
§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1980, c. 97]: In the 12 months ended 31 December 1979, some 43 resolutions on the administration of war pensions were submitted. War pensions committees also considered 233 individual complaints.: in 175 cases they made representations to me, and the 373W decision was altered in favour of the pensioner or claimant in 64–37 per cent.—of these.