§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is his policy to proceed with the transfer of envisaged functions to the HPA on 1 April. [90065]
§ Ms BlearsYes. We expect to lay statutory instruments before Parliament shortly to establish a special health authority from 1 April 2003.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action he has taken to address Point 4 in the summary of the report to the steering group of the HPA in relation to the potential impact of a deliberate release of biological materials over the next few months; [90069]
(2) what assessment he has made of the risks associated with the transfer of (a) the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, (b) the CIRS, (c) the Central Public Health Laboratory, and (d) the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre to the new Health Protection Agency; and how these risks are to be minimised; [90081]
(3) what assessment he has made of the level of acceptable risk as outlined in the statements made in point 4 in the summary of the report to the Steering Group of the HPA; [90071]
(4) what actions he has taken following the submission of the report to the HPA Steering Group on HPA Business Continuity Risk Assessment; [90084]
(5) what assessment he has made of the risks associated with the establishment of regional field services in the new Health Protection Agency; and how these risks are to be minimised; [90082]
(6) what steps he has taken to reduce the impact on decision-making within the various organisations being amalgamated into the HPA prior to 1 April highlighted in the Report to the Steering Group. [90122]
§ Ms BlearsOne of the steering group's key roles is to provide a forum for the various organisations forming the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to raise and resolve issues which may impact on decision making in the interim period. This will continue.
278WAs part of its normal business, the group reviewed a report on business continuity risks in relation to the proposed establishment of the HPA. This report included input from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, the Chemical Incidents Response Service and other chemical providers, the Central Public Health Laboratory, the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre and from a number of regions in relation to the establishment of field services.
Having reviewed the papers, the steering group endorsed a number of actions. The key decision was the appointment of interim directors to provide leadership and business continuity in key service delivery functions. These interim arrangements have since been announced. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 20 January.
As regards the deliberate release of biological materials, the Department, in conjunction with other agencies, is developing plans, which take account of the planned establishment of the HPA from 1 April.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will bring forward legislation to create the Health Protection Agency as an executive non-departmental public body. [90088]
§ Ms BlearsWe aim to establish the Health Protection Agency as a non-Departmental public body, when Parliamentary time allows.