Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 5 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 February 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what safeguards he will put in place to maintain existing standards of health emergency planning during the transition of responsibilities from the (a) Public Health Laboratory Service, (b) National Radiological Protection Board and (c) Microbiological Research Authority to the Health Protection Agency.

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards he will put in place to maintain existing standards of health emergency planning during the transition of responsibilities from the (a) Public Health Laboratory Service, (b) National Radiological Protection Board and (c) Microbiological Research Authority to the Health Protection Agency. [96590] Ms Blears: We are working with the Public Health Laboratory Service and the Microbiological Research Authority to provide for a smooth transfer of responsibilities from them to the Health Protection Agency (HPA), which we propose to create as a special health authority from 1 April 2003. We propose that, at a later stage, the HPA should also take responsibility for functions currently discharged by the National Radiological Protection Board and we shall ensure that that transfer is handled smoothly. We shall expect the HPA to maintain and, where possible, improve standards of health emergency planning.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 96590; 400 c528-9W;400 c520W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Health Health services Health Protection Agency Emergencies Planning National Radiological Protection Board Public Health Laboratory Service Microbiological Research Authority
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk