HC Deb 07 May 1998 vol 311 c499W
Mr. Edwards

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of recent research concerning the adverse effects of excess intake of vitamin C; and if he will make a statement on the procedures used by the Government to advise the public on such matters. [40012]

Ms Jowell

The Department is aware of recent research funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and carried out at the University of Leicester on possible adverse effects of excess intake of vitamin C.

An expert group on vitamins and minerals is being established to look at the need for safety limits on the levels of vitamins and minerals in dietary supplements. It will review the available science and, where appropriate, recommend maximum levels. The new expert group will report to the Food Advisory Committee which will consider its findings and make recommendations to Ministers. Ministers will then consider what action is necessary and how to advise the public on any risks.

NHS Hospital and Community Health Services (HCHS) health care assistants and percentage of health care assistants within the total NHS HCHS workforce in north west regional office area by trust as at 30 September 1996
Whole-time equivalents
HCAs Total HCHS workforce Percentage of total HCHS workforce
North West 1,830 97,020 1.9
Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 1 970 0.0
Wirral Hospital NHS Trust 10 3,610 0.3
St. Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust 110 3,280 3.4
Chester and Halton Community NHS Trust 30 640 4.7
Liverpool Cardiothoracic NHS Trust 1 630 0.0
Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital NHS Trust 2 1,690 0.0
The Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust 150 1,990 7.5
Central Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust 2 4,810 0.0
Christie Hospital NHS Trust 2 1,040 0.0
South Cumbria Community and Mental Health NHS Trust 10 530 1.9
Westmorland Hospitals NHS Trust 1 500 0.0
Aintree Hospitals NHS Trust 110 3,250 3.4
Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Trust 1 330 0.0
Liverpool Womens Hospital NHS Trust 80 730 11.0
Southport and Formby NHS Trust 10 1,210 0.8
St. Helens and Knowsley Community Health NHS Trust 1 620 0.0
North Mersey Community NHS Trust 20 2,240 0.9
Walton Centre for Neurology/Neurosurgery NHS Trust 10 380 2.6
Burnley Health Care NHS Trust 2 3,100 0.0
Lancaster Acute Hospitals NHS Trust 1 1,540 0.0
Lancaster Priority Services NHS Trust 2 1,170 0.0
Oldham NHS Trust 60 2,640 2.3
Wrightington Hospital NHS Trust 1 420 0.0
Rochdale NHS Trust 2 2,240 0.0
East Cheshire NHS Trust 20 1,990 1.0
Southport and Formby Community Health Services NHS Trust 1 520 0.0
Warrington Community Health Care NHS Trust 1 1,130 0.0
Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Trust 70 1,660 4.2
Halton General Hospital NHS Trust 20 730 2.7
Cheshire Community Healthcare NHS Trust 1 630 0.0
Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust 1 1,520 0.0
West Lancashire NHS Trust 30 1,250 2.4
Calderstones NHS Trust 20 1,260 1.6
Wigan and Leigh Health Services NHS Trust 10 3,830 0.3
Warrington Hospital NHS Trust 240 1,810 13.3
West Cheshire NHS Trust 50 660 7.6
Wirral Community Health Care NHS Trust 20 1,130 1.8