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I thank the Minister for that Answer, but can he say when the report will be completed and published?
I thank the Minister for that Answer, but can he say when the report will be completed and published?
The report is still under evaluation. I am afraid there is no estimate at the moment for the production of the report.
The report is still under evaluation. I am afraid there is no estimate at the moment for the production of the report.
The report is still under evaluation. I am afraid there is no estimate at the moment for the production of the report.
I thank the Minister for that Answer, but can he say when the report will be completed and published?
My Lords, I have twice recently through Written Questions tried to find out whether the Government will publish the report of the advisory committee. Both answers—which were almost identical—avoided answering the question. Could the Minister therefore tell us now whether the Government will publish this key report and, if not, why not?
My Lords, I have twice recently through Written Questions tried to find out whether the Government will publish the report of the advisory committee. Both answers—which were almost identical—avoided answering the question. Could the Minister therefore tell us now whether the Government will publish this key report and, if not, why not?
As I said, the report is being considered and a decision on publication will be made in due course.
As I said, the report is being considered and a decision on publication will be made in due course.
As I said, the report is being considered and a decision on publication will be made in due course.
My Lords, I have twice recently through Written Questions tried to find out whether the Government will publish the report of the advisory committee. Both answers—which were almost identical—avoided answering the question. Could the Minister therefore tell us now whether the Government will publish this key report and, if not, why not?
My Lords, the British Dental Association is opposed to dental X-rays being used because of their inaccuracy. Other organisations such as the BMA agree. During the passage of what became Nationalities and Borders Act, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Stewart of Dirleton, the Minister at the time, acknowledged this lack of accuracy by saying that
“assessments are not of themselves accurate”.—[Official Report, 8/3/22; col. 1280.]
There was no dentist on the age estimation science advisory committee. Do the Government understand that both their own Minister and dentists disagree that this should be one of the methods used to assess age?
My Lords, the British Dental Association is opposed to dental X-rays being used because of their inaccuracy. Other organisations such as the BMA agree. During the passage of what became Nationalities and Borders Act, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Stewart of Dirleton, the Minister at the time, acknowledged this lack of accuracy by saying that
“assessments are not of themselves accurate”.—[Official Report, 8/3/22; col. 1280.]
There was no dentist on the age estimation science advisory committee. Do the Government understand that both their own Minister and dentists disagree that this should be one of the methods used to assess age?
The answer is no. By way of background, I remind the noble Baroness that, between 2016 and September 2022, there were 7,357 asylum cases where age was disputed and subsequently resolved, in which half the individuals—3,696—were found to be adults. At least 27 other European countries use scientific or medical methods as part of their age assessment process. The most common method by far internationally is the use of one or more X-rays, usually dental, wrist, clavicle or knee, although MRI scans, CT scans and physical or psychological examination by a doctor are also reported. The implementation of SAA across Europe varies enormously, with different methods or combinations of methods, data outputs and timing, and the use of negative interference.
The answer is no. By way of background, I remind the noble Baroness that, between 2016 and September 2022, there were 7,357 asylum cases where age was disputed and subsequently resolved, in which half the individuals—3,696—were found to be adults. At least 27 other European countries use scientific or medical methods as part of their age assessment process. The most common method by far internationally is the use of one or more X-rays, usually dental, wrist, clavicle or knee, although MRI scans, CT scans and physical or psychological examination by a doctor are also reported. The implementation of SAA across Europe varies enormously, with different methods or combinations of methods, data outputs and timing, and the use of negative interference.
The answer is no. By way of background, I remind the noble Baroness that, between 2016 and September 2022, there were 7,357 asylum cases where age was disputed and subsequently resolved, in which half the individuals—3,696—were found to be adults. At least 27 other European countries use scientific or medical methods as part of their age assessment process. The most common method by far internationally is the use of one or more X-rays, usually dental, wrist, clavicle or knee, although MRI scans, CT scans and physical or psychological examination by a doctor are also reported. The implementation of SAA across Europe varies enormously, with different methods or combinations of methods, data outputs and timing, and the use of negative interference.
My Lords, the British Dental Association is opposed to dental X-rays being used because of their inaccuracy. Other organisations such as the BMA agree. During the passage of what became Nationalities and Borders Act, the noble and learned Lord, Lord Stewart of Dirleton, the Minister at the time, acknowledged this lack of accuracy by saying that
“assessments are not of themselves accurate”.—[Official Report, 8/3/22; col. 1280.]
There was no dentist on the age estimation science advisory committee. Do the Government understand that both their own Minister and dentists disagree that this should be one of the methods used to assess age?
My Lords, given that 12 EU countries do not allow any asylum applications from Albania on the grounds that Albania is a democratic and aspirational country, why do we not do the same?
My Lords, given that 12 EU countries do not allow any asylum applications from Albania on the grounds that Albania is a democratic and aspirational country, why do we not do the same?
Although I am tempted to address my noble friend’s topic, which is slightly off the topic of this Question, I will say only that the response to the problem of Albanian young men crossing the channel is being considered speedily by the department, and policies will be formulated shortly.
Although I am tempted to address my noble friend’s topic, which is slightly off the topic of this Question, I will say only that the response to the problem of Albanian young men crossing the channel is being considered speedily by the department, and policies will be formulated shortly.
Although I am tempted to address my noble friend’s topic, which is slightly off the topic of this Question, I will say only that the response to the problem of Albanian young men crossing the channel is being considered speedily by the department, and policies will be formulated shortly.
My Lords, given that 12 EU countries do not allow any asylum applications from Albania on the grounds that Albania is a democratic and aspirational country, why do we not do the same?
My Lords, it is an understatement to say that the use of X-rays to assess the age of children is like using a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut: it not only exposes children to harmful radiation but damages our image in the wider world. Would the Minister agree that traumatic events such as seeing near and dear ones killed and homes destroyed can visibly age people, including children, and that a country that is not even in the top 10 of those giving asylum per head of population should eschew this demeaning practice?
My Lords, it is an understatement to say that the use of X-rays to assess the age of children is like using a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut: it not only exposes children to harmful radiation but damages our image in the wider world. Would the Minister agree that traumatic events such as seeing near and dear ones killed and homes destroyed can visibly age people, including children, and that a country that is not even in the top 10 of those giving asylum per head of population should eschew this demeaning practice?
I disagree with the noble Lord. As I have already said, there is clear evidence that many people claim to be a minor when they are not. Clear safeguarding issues arise if a child is inadvertently treated as adult and, equally, if an adult is wrongly accepted as a child and placed in accommodation with younger children to whom they could present a risk.
I disagree with the noble Lord. As I have already said, there is clear evidence that many people claim to be a minor when they are not. Clear safeguarding issues arise if a child is inadvertently treated as adult and, equally, if an adult is wrongly accepted as a child and placed in accommodation with younger children to whom they could present a risk.
I disagree with the noble Lord. As I have already said, there is clear evidence that many people claim to be a minor when they are not. Clear safeguarding issues arise if a child is inadvertently treated as adult and, equally, if an adult is wrongly accepted as a child and placed in accommodation with younger children to whom they could present a risk.
My Lords, it is an understatement to say that the use of X-rays to assess the age of children is like using a sledgehammer to crack a very small nut: it not only exposes children to harmful radiation but damages our image in the wider world. Would the Minister agree that traumatic events such as seeing near and dear ones killed and homes destroyed can visibly age people, including children, and that a country that is not even in the top 10 of those giving asylum per head of population should eschew this demeaning practice?
My Lords, the Minister has just told us that the Government are assessing the evidence. Can he tell us what assessment they have made of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health? Its members are experts in this area and it has said that the use of X-rays for age assessment does not work and is unethical.
My Lords, the Minister has just told us that the Government are assessing the evidence. Can he tell us what assessment they have made of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health? Its members are experts in this area and it has said that the use of X-rays for age assessment does not work and is unethical.
The international experience would tend to suggest that that is not the case. The position adopted by the department is that age assessment is one option on a menu of options available for the assessment of age; there is no suggestion that the assessment of age will be undertaken, at this stage and in the present state of the science, simply on a scientific assessment.
The international experience would tend to suggest that that is not the case. The position adopted by the department is that age assessment is one option on a menu of options available for the assessment of age; there is no suggestion that the assessment of age will be undertaken, at this stage and in the present state of the science, simply on a scientific assessment.
The international experience would tend to suggest that that is not the case. The position adopted by the department is that age assessment is one option on a menu of options available for the assessment of age; there is no suggestion that the assessment of age will be undertaken, at this stage and in the present state of the science, simply on a scientific assessment.
My Lords, the Minister has just told us that the Government are assessing the evidence. Can he tell us what assessment they have made of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health? Its members are experts in this area and it has said that the use of X-rays for age assessment does not work and is unethical.
Would my noble friend the Minister not agree with me that this has been a problem for a considerable period of time? When I was in the Home Office, we also had difficulties with this matter, but the rules are quite clear: minors are entitled to support in a way that those who are overage are not. So, although it is regarded as being rather unfair to use X-rays, and maybe even dangerous, does my noble friend not agree that at least we have to apply those rules and find ways of applying them that are as fair as possible?
Would my noble friend the Minister not agree with me that this has been a problem for a considerable period of time? When I was in the Home Office, we also had difficulties with this matter, but the rules are quite clear: minors are entitled to support in a way that those who are overage are not. So, although it is regarded as being rather unfair to use X-rays, and maybe even dangerous, does my noble friend not agree that at least we have to apply those rules and find ways of applying them that are as fair as possible?
I entirely agree with my noble friend. I can assure the House that we will ensure that scientific methods are implemented in such a way as to be compliant with the existing regulatory and statutory frameworks governing safety. I entirely agree with the sentiment of my noble friend’s question.
I entirely agree with my noble friend. I can assure the House that we will ensure that scientific methods are implemented in such a way as to be compliant with the existing regulatory and statutory frameworks governing safety. I entirely agree with the sentiment of my noble friend’s question.
I entirely agree with my noble friend. I can assure the House that we will ensure that scientific methods are implemented in such a way as to be compliant with the existing regulatory and statutory frameworks governing safety. I entirely agree with the sentiment of my noble friend’s question.
Would my noble friend the Minister not agree with me that this has been a problem for a considerable period of time? When I was in the Home Office, we also had difficulties with this matter, but the rules are quite clear: minors are entitled to support in a way that those who are overage are not. So, although it is regarded as being rather unfair to use X-rays, and maybe even dangerous, does my noble friend not agree that at least we have to apply those rules and find ways of applying them that are as fair as possible?
My Lords, further to that answer, in determining what constitutes an appropriate scientific method of age assessment, can the Minister assure us that any future methods will be formally approved by the relevant medical body before they come into use?
My Lords, further to that answer, in determining what constitutes an appropriate scientific method of age assessment, can the Minister assure us that any future methods will be formally approved by the relevant medical body before they come into use?
Plainly they will be formally approved by the advisory committee to the Home Secretary, and one suggests that the views of relevant professional bodies will be of great weight in making such a decision.
Plainly they will be formally approved by the advisory committee to the Home Secretary, and one suggests that the views of relevant professional bodies will be of great weight in making such a decision.
Plainly they will be formally approved by the advisory committee to the Home Secretary, and one suggests that the views of relevant professional bodies will be of great weight in making such a decision.
My Lords, further to that answer, in determining what constitutes an appropriate scientific method of age assessment, can the Minister assure us that any future methods will be formally approved by the relevant medical body before they come into use?
My Lords, as a sitting magistrate I occasionally have to do age deeming, both in youth court and in adult court. Sometimes we have reports from social workers and sometimes—although rarely—we get expert reports. In the training I received, maybe 10 or 12 years ago, the central message I got was that it was ultimately a judicial decision and that all forms of report, be they from social workers or scientific reports, have quite large elements of doubt within them and the decision is ultimately a judicial one. Does the noble Lord agree?
My Lords, as a sitting magistrate I occasionally have to do age deeming, both in youth court and in adult court. Sometimes we have reports from social workers and sometimes—although rarely—we get expert reports. In the training I received, maybe 10 or 12 years ago, the central message I got was that it was ultimately a judicial decision and that all forms of report, be they from social workers or scientific reports, have quite large elements of doubt within them and the decision is ultimately a judicial one. Does the noble Lord agree?
In the context of decisions made in magistrates’ courts, I agree that it is a judicial decision. In the context of asylum-seeking people who say that they are minors, the question then falls to the Secretary of State to determine whether they should be treated as a minor—and sadly, as I say, experience suggests that a large number of people have suggested that they are minors in order to take advantage of the perhaps more beneficial regime. It is very important that those people, for the reasons that I have already given the House, are weeded out by such a fair system as we can determine.
In the context of decisions made in magistrates’ courts, I agree that it is a judicial decision. In the context of asylum-seeking people who say that they are minors, the question then falls to the Secretary of State to determine whether they should be treated as a minor—and sadly, as I say, experience suggests that a large number of people have suggested that they are minors in order to take advantage of the perhaps more beneficial regime. It is very important that those people, for the reasons that I have already given the House, are weeded out by such a fair system as we can determine.
In the context of decisions made in magistrates’ courts, I agree that it is a judicial decision. In the context of asylum-seeking people who say that they are minors, the question then falls to the Secretary of State to determine whether they should be treated as a minor—and sadly, as I say, experience suggests that a large number of people have suggested that they are minors in order to take advantage of the perhaps more beneficial regime. It is very important that those people, for the reasons that I have already given the House, are weeded out by such a fair system as we can determine.
My Lords, as a sitting magistrate I occasionally have to do age deeming, both in youth court and in adult court. Sometimes we have reports from social workers and sometimes—although rarely—we get expert reports. In the training I received, maybe 10 or 12 years ago, the central message I got was that it was ultimately a judicial decision and that all forms of report, be they from social workers or scientific reports, have quite large elements of doubt within them and the decision is ultimately a judicial one. Does the noble Lord agree?
My Lords, in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, I think I heard the Minister say about a report that a decision on publication will be made in due course. Can he tell the House whether that is a decision on whether to publish or when to publish?
My Lords, in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, I think I heard the Minister say about a report that a decision on publication will be made in due course. Can he tell the House whether that is a decision on whether to publish or when to publish?
At the moment, the answer is both.
At the moment, the answer is both.
At the moment, the answer is both.
My Lords, in response to the noble Baroness, Lady Lister, I think I heard the Minister say about a report that a decision on publication will be made in due course. Can he tell the House whether that is a decision on whether to publish or when to publish?
My Lords, the British Dental Association has written to all of us saying that X-rays carry a small risk of possible long-term physical harm and that the risk is cumulative and successive exposures increase the risk, which means that each exposure over a lifetime must be clinically justified. Over my lifetime I have had more than 20 X-rays from dentists and have never been warned of this cumulative risk. Can my noble friend explain why the BDA is so worried about a single X-ray of someone claiming asylum who looks 22, especially when the BDA says that it can tell the age to within four years with 95% accuracy? So it might well show that someone was younger than they looked and be to their benefit.
My Lords, the British Dental Association has written to all of us saying that X-rays carry a small risk of possible long-term physical harm and that the risk is cumulative and successive exposures increase the risk, which means that each exposure over a lifetime must be clinically justified. Over my lifetime I have had more than 20 X-rays from dentists and have never been warned of this cumulative risk. Can my noble friend explain why the BDA is so worried about a single X-ray of someone claiming asylum who looks 22, especially when the BDA says that it can tell the age to within four years with 95% accuracy? So it might well show that someone was younger than they looked and be to their benefit.
I entirely agree with my noble friend that it is an unusual position for the BDA to adopt.
I entirely agree with my noble friend that it is an unusual position for the BDA to adopt.
I entirely agree with my noble friend that it is an unusual position for the BDA to adopt.
My Lords, the British Dental Association has written to all of us saying that X-rays carry a small risk of possible long-term physical harm and that the risk is cumulative and successive exposures increase the risk, which means that each exposure over a lifetime must be clinically justified. Over my lifetime I have had more than 20 X-rays from dentists and have never been warned of this cumulative risk. Can my noble friend explain why the BDA is so worried about a single X-ray of someone claiming asylum who looks 22, especially when the BDA says that it can tell the age to within four years with 95% accuracy? So it might well show that someone was younger than they looked and be to their benefit.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) ethical and (b) scientific considerations of the use of x-rays of verify the age of child refugees.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department has made of the (a) ethical and (b) scientific considerations of the use of x-rays of verify the age of child refugees.
In December 2021, the Home Office set up an independent Age Estimation Science Advisory Committee to provide the Home Office Chief Scientific Adviser with independent advice – including scientific and associated ethical advice and guidance on existing and emerging scientific approaches that could be utilised for the purpose of age assessment. We are considering advice from this Committee and other sources. No official decisions have been made about if and how to implement scientific methods.
The use of X-rays specifically is regulated by the Justification of Practices Involving Ionising Radiation Regulations 2004, which requires that any practices involving the use of ionising radiation be justified on the basis that the individual or societal benefit of that practice outweighs the health detriment it may cause. Any use of X-rays for age assessment purposes will therefore be contingent on the appropriate approvals being met under these regulations.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of X-ray scanners deployed to prevent illegal items entering prisons; and whether he plans to roll these out to all prisons.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of X-ray scanners deployed to prevent illegal items entering prisons; and whether he plans to roll these out to all prisons.
We have invested £100m to combat crime in prisons, including reducing the conveyance of illicit items such as drugs and mobile phones.
Since 2020, we have installed an additional 75 x-ray body scanners, bringing the total to 97 and providing coverage to the entire closed male estate. As of April 2022, there have been approximately 20,000 positive indications recorded.
A full evaluation of our security investments is underway and will be published in 2023. Further deployment of x-ray body scanners across the prison estate will be informed by the results of this evaluation.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of waiting times for access to a DXA bone density scan.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the adequacy of waiting times for access to a DXA bone density scan.
No formal assessment has been made. However, NHS England’s data as of January 2022 shows that 36.3% of patients waiting for DEXA scans have been waiting more than six weeks.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce dental x-rays to help to determine the age of undocumented migrants; and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to introduce dental x-rays to help to determine the age of undocumented migrants; and if she will make a statement.
Assessing someone’s age is an extremely challenging task and it is only right we explore how the current system can be improved by harnessing scientific evidence alongside existing methods. We will be guided by the research and evidence on which scientific methods to use.
The UK is one of the only countries in Europe not to use scientific age assessment methods to help determine a person’s age when they arrive into the country. Various scientific methods are used to assess age in, among others, Sweden, Norway, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
We should not underestimate the significant safeguarding risks there are if an adult were to successfully pass themselves off as a child and be placed in young people’s accommodation or schools. It also reduces the resources available to help genuine asylum-seeking children.
We have already laid marker clauses in the Nationality and Borders Bill on the use of scientific methods of age assessment will shortly bring forward amendments with the full clauses at the committee stage in October
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department’s announcement of 25 January 2021, which prisons each of the 24 additional x-ray scanners will be installed in; which prisons will have x-ray scanners installed by 25 January 2021; and how much of the £100 million spend...
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, with reference to his Department’s announcement of 25 January 2021, which prisons each of the 24 additional x-ray scanners will be installed in; which prisons will have x-ray scanners installed by 25 January 2021; and how much of the £100 million spend...
HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) is taking decisive action to stop mobile phones and illicit substances entering prison, and investing £100m to bolster prison security and tackle crime behind bars which fuels violence and self-harm. As part of this investment, 51 prisons across England and Wales will receive cutting edge X-ray body scanners which will assist in the detection of illicit articles secreted within prisoners entering establishments.
We have already installed a significant proportion of those planned within this financial year. As of 25 January 2021, we had installed X-ray body Scanners at 40 sites across England and Wales, which are listed below. This includes some not yet announced, which are indicated in bold. We will shortly be announcing which further sites are to be delivered by the end of March 2021.
Durham | Liverpool | Preston | Lincoln | Bedford | Pentonville |
Wandsworth | Norwich | Chelmsford | Birmingham | Hewell | Winchester |
Exeter | Elmley | Cardiff | Bristol | Belmarsh | Aylesbury |
Bullingdon | Lewes | Swaleside | Brixton | Highdown | Brinsford |
Swansea | Garth | Hindley | Gartree | Leicester | Highpoint |
Wayland | Erlestoke | Guys Marsh | Wymott | Deerbolt | Featherstone |
Risley | Channings Wood | Lowdham Grange | Lancaster Farms |
|
|
With regards to the final part of the question ‘how much of the £100 million spend on prison security will be spent on those 24 additional x-ray scanners,’ due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information, HMPPS is unable to provide this figure.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether patients’ consent will be required before their data can be collected for the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether patients’ consent will be required before their data can be collected for the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database.
The data collected for the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database is done so under the Control of Patient Information notices issued by the Secretary of State for Health. Consequently, no patient consent is required to collect the data from National Health Service trusts. No patient identifiable data is shared with developers. Images and clinical data points are anonymised before they are sent from each NHS trust to the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust for collation. The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust further verifies that any identifiable data burnt onto the images is removed. Once this step is completed, the anonymised data is uploaded on a cloud-based repository owned by NHSX, and having NHS England as the data controller.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish an ethics board to oversee the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish an ethics board to oversee the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database.
The Research and Ethics Committee (REC) at the Health Research Authority granted ethical approval for the National COVID-19 Chest Imaging Database (NCCID) on 16 April 2020.. The REC made no recommendation to establish an ethics board to oversee the NCCID. Access to data contained in the NCCID is governed by a committee of independent experts, which includes patient representatives, and is tasked with ensuring that applications comply with high ethical standards.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made on returning X-ray facilities to Hinckley hospital.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress has been made on returning X-ray facilities to Hinckley hospital.
X-ray facilities will be returning to Hinckley and District Hospital to provide much needed services to the local population, after funding was secured from University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
In addition, the local area will benefit from the Government’s £7 million sustainability and transformation partnerships capital investment to refurbish Hinckley Health Centre, which includes works to accommodate diagnostics (x-ray and ultrasound) machines.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to implement additional measures to detect people smuggling through UK ports, including the use of X-rays.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to implement additional measures to detect people smuggling through UK ports, including the use of X-rays.
At the juxtaposed controls and at ports around the country, Border Force officers use some of the most advanced detection technology available to find and stop migrants attempting to reach the UK illegally. We have also invested tens of millions of pounds in new infrastructure to enhance border security. All freight vehicles entering the UK through the juxtaposed controls are screened for people being smuggled into the UK using a range of techniques. This includes using carbon dioxide detectors and motion sensors as well as sniffer dogs to detect clandestine on-board lorries.
We will continue to monitor closely displacement of the threat to other ports and routes into the UK and are prepared to shift more resources to UK ports, whilst working proactively with European law enforcement, including partners in France, Belgium and Holland, to target the organised crime networks behind people trafficking and illegal migration.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of whether hospitals frequently need to rely on the family members of patients to assist in x-ray procedures.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of whether hospitals frequently need to rely on the family members of patients to assist in x-ray procedures.
The Department has made no such assessment.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many X-rays have been carried out at Eltham Community Hospital since that hospital opened; and if he will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many X-rays have been carried out at Eltham Community Hospital since that hospital opened; and if he will make a statement.
NHS England publishes monthly information about diagnostic imaging tests carried out on National Health Service patients, including plain radiography. This information is at the level of NHS trust, not individual hospital sites within trusts.
However, NHS England advises that the diagnostic suite at Eltham Community Hospital has not been brought into commission and no procedures have been undertaken since it was opened in 2015. Greenwich Clinical Commissioning Group is working with local partners to ensure that best use is made of the facilities at Eltham Community Hospital.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether x-ray equipment bought for a hospital trust by local fundraising efforts belongs to that trust or to NHS Property Services.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether x-ray equipment bought for a hospital trust by local fundraising efforts belongs to that trust or to NHS Property Services.
On the abolition of primary care trusts in April 2013, former primary care trust land, buildings and related contracts transferred either to NHS Property Services or to National Health Service trusts, depending on the details of the individual transfer schemes. Clinical equipment was not generally transferred to NHS Property Services.
Equipment donated after April 2013 directly to individual NHS hospital trusts and x-ray equipment bought for a trust by local fundraising efforts would belong to the NHS trust unless it has been specifically transferred to NHS Property Services under the terms of a particular transfer scheme.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the mobile x-ray unit for diagnosing tuberculosis in under-served populations will next visit Birmingham.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the mobile x-ray unit for diagnosing tuberculosis in under-served populations will next visit Birmingham.
The mobile x-ray unit for diagnosing tuberculosis in underserved populations is visiting Birmingham week commencing 20 July 2015 for five days. During this period the unit will screen underserved populations in Birmingham, Sandwell and Dudley.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what expenditure UK Border Force has incurred in operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in each year since 2010-11.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what expenditure UK Border Force has incurred in operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in each year since 2010-11.
The information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the average age of x-ray machines in use in hospitals.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the average age of x-ray machines in use in hospitals.
There has been no estimate made of the average age of x-ray machines in use in hospitals as this information is not held centrally. It is the responsibility of individual providers to maintain equipment and ensure it is in full working order.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what expenditure HM Revenue and Customs has incurred in operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in each year since 2010-11.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what expenditure HM Revenue and Customs has incurred in operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in each year since 2010-11.
It is not possible to provide the requested breakdown of the total HM Revenue and Customs spent on salaries for staff employed on tackling tobacco smuggling in the way requested. The total costs for each year are as follows:
Salary Cost (millions) 2010-11 | Salary cost (millions) 2011-12 | Salary cost (millions) 2012-13 | Salary cost (millions) 2013-14 | |
Total | £37.044 | £36.882 | £35.734 | £37.731 |
HM Revenue and Customs does not operate any x-ray scanners. Border Force has responsibility for the operation of x-ray scanners as part of the joint strategy to tackle tobacco smuggling.
HM Revenue and Customs total expenditure on tobacco work since 2010-11 is detailed in the table below. This includes administration and policy, as well as enforcement.
HMRC Activity | 2010-11 | 2011-12
| 2012-13
| 2013-14
|
Total expenditure on tobacco work (millions) | £65.750 | £68.918 | £67.641 | £76.000 |
It is not possible to provide the staff information in the format requested. However, the total figures are set out below:
HMRC Activity | 2010/11 Full Time Equivalent | 2011/12 Full Time Equivalent | 2012/13 Full Time Equivalent | 2013/14 Full Time Equivalent |
Total | 758 | 777 | 777 | 832 |
For the year 2012/13, the UK cigarette illicit market was reported at 9%, which is half the level seen a decade ago. The illicit market share for hand-rolling tobacco is 36%, lower than in 2010/11 and significantly lower than the level seen in 2008/09, when it was 50 per cent.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bone density scanning machines were available in each region of the UK in each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many bone density scanning machines were available in each region of the UK in each of the last five years.
The Department is responsible only for health services in England and data related to the number of bone density scanning machines in England is not held centrally.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what HM Revenue and Customs spent on operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.
[131511]
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what HM Revenue and Customs spent on operating x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling in (a) 2010-11 and (b) 2011-12.
[131511]
Border Force uses a range of x-ray scanners to tackle tobacco smuggling through freight and by passengers. These x-ray scanners are also used to detect the presence of other prohibited drugs and restricted goods so the costs of operating them cannot be solely attributed to tobacco smuggling. In 2010-11 and 2011-12 the contractual maintenance costs of this equipment cost £1,487,000 and £1,133,000 respectively. In addition, new scanning equipment costing £66,005 was purchased.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many experiments the Atomic Weapons Establishment has participated in using the Z Pulsed Power Facility at Sandia National Laboratories in each year since 2007;
[129172]
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many experiments the Atomic Weapons Establishment has participated in using the Z Pulsed Power Facility at Sandia National Laboratories in each year since 2007;
[129172]
Officials from the Ministry of Defence and personnel from the Atomic Weapons Establishment work closely with their US counterparts on a range of nuclear matters under the auspices of the 1958 Mutual Defence Agreement. This includes participation in experiments at the Nevada Test Site, and at the Los Alamos, Sandia and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories.
I am withholding further details of this work in the interests of safeguarding national security.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have taken action against a primary care trust because it has refused laparoscopies or X-rays of the uterus on the grounds that they were not permissible as investigations under the National Health Service; and, if so, what action was taken.[HL1888]
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have taken action against a primary care trust because it has refused laparoscopies or X-rays of the uterus on the grounds that they were not permissible as investigations under the National Health Service; and, if so, what action was taken.[HL1888]
We are not aware of any such action. However, I refer the noble Lord to my previous Answer on this subject on 17 July 2012, Official Report, col. 100.
(4) whether his Department gave approval for the age assessments dental X-ray pilot.
(4) whether his Department gave approval for the age assessments dental X-ray pilot.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he had with Ministers in the Home Department on the UK Border Agency's trial of dental X-rays for age assessment purposes prior to the commencement of that trial on 29 March 2012;
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he had with Ministers in the Home Department on the UK Border Agency's trial of dental X-rays for age assessment purposes prior to the commencement of that trial on 29 March 2012;