§ Lord Alton of Liverpoolasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the publication of the annual report for 2001 of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority was delayed; and whether they believe such delay prejudices effective scrutiny of the role and functions of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority; and [HL5180]
When the next annual report of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority is due to be published; and whether they anticipate any delay in the publication of the report. [HL5181]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has identified some problems with its information technology infrastructure. These problems are now being resolved but they have delayed the availability of recent performance data.
The annual report was held back in the hope that the data would be ready to include. When this proved not to be possible, the decision was taken to go ahead and publish the annual report without the data. The data will be made available shortly on the HFEA's website.
145WAApart from the annual report, effective scrutiny of the HFEA takes place in a number of ways, including the laying before Parliament of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report of the HFEA's annual accounts, and the authority's appearance before parliamentary committees.
The HFEA intends to publish its next annual report in November 2002. No delay in the publication is envisaged.