Diseases

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on diseases. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs. Material is also available on communicable diseases.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
30.05.2013Asbestos-related diseases: payments from the Department for Work and Pensions
Exposure to asbestos fibres can lead to a number of serious diseases. People suffering from certain conditions may be able to pursue a civil claim for damages against one or more employers responsible for exposing them to asbestos negligently and/or in breach of a statutory duty. Compensation may also be available under schemes administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
01.02.2013Nuclear test veterans - compensation
A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans' case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
29.10.2012Underground power lines and health
Power lines give rise to electric and magnetic fields which fall off with distance. Burying power lines underground effectively shields the electric fields but less so the magnetic.
25.10.2012HIV and AIDS statistics: UK
HIV and AIDS statistics: UK. By Rachael Harker. SN/SG/2210. This note summarises recent statistics on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and also includes a POSTBOX on HIV Infection and Treatment. Section 1 describes how the numbers of those diagnosed with and those dying from HIV/AIDS in the UK have changed over time. The characteristics that put people most at risk of HIV are considered in Sections 2 and the manner and place in which individuals with HIV acquire their infection in examined in Section 3. The general prevalence of HIV, and levels of awareness of infection, are examined in Section 4. International statistics on HIV and AIDS are briefly considered in Section 5, while Section 6 looks at public knowledge and attitudes to the disease.
18.09.2012Homeopathy and the consolidation of UK medicines legislation
In August 2012 UK medicines legislation (including for homeopathy) was consolidated through the Human Medical Regulations. The law was not changed.

Research Papers

DateDescription
02.11.2007Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill Committee Stage Report
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill Committee Stage Report. (Bill 156 2006/07). House of Commons Library Research Paper 07/73.
29.06.2007Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill
Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill. (Bill 118 of 2006/07). House of Commond Library Research Paper 07/57.
10.03.2004Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill (Bill 19 2003/04)
Cardiac Risk in the Young (Screening) Bill. (Bill 19 2003/04). House of Commons Library Research Paper 04/24.
06.05.2003Social indicators
Social indicators. (Includes article on Higher education applications and topical subject pages on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and London congestion charge). House of Commons Library Research Paper 03/40.
05.10.1999Asbestos
Asbestos. House of Commons Library Research Paper 99/81.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
18.01.2010Young people's sexual health: the national chlamydia screening programme.
Public Accounts Committee report [Commons]
24.11.2009Progress on the implementation of DFID's HIV/AIDS strategy.
International Development Select Committee report [Commons]
15.10.2009Patient safety.
Government response. Department of Health; Care Quality Commission; Monitor; Health Select Committee report [Commons]
13.10.2009Patient safety.
Government response. Department of Health report [Commons]
18.06.2009Patient safety.
Health Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
08.02.2012DRAFT NICE GUIDANCE FOR THE USE OF ABIRATERONE
That this House notes with serious concern that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidance for the use of the drug abiraterone, a life ...
10.01.2012PHENYLENEDIAMINE ALLERGIES
That this House expresses concern over recent instances of severe allergic reactions caused by para-phenylenediamine (PPD) used in temporary tattoos and hair dye products; further expresses ...
19.12.2011AVOIDABLE DEATHS FROM DIABETES
That this House notes with alarm that up to 24,000 people with diabetes die in England each year from causes that could have been avoided according to NHS figures published this month; ...
14.12.2011DIABETES UK
That this House notes the recent Diabetes UK Report which found that up to 24,000 people with diabetes in England die earlier from causes that could have been avoided through better ...
12.12.2011INTERNATIONAL DIABETES FEDERATION
That this House congratulates the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) on its recent hosting of the Global Diabetes Forum in Dubai; welcomes the work of the IDF in bringing together ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
26.11.2012Debate on 29 November: Diabetic Services
This Library Note looks at the government's strategy on diabetes services and care, and at the implementation of the strategy. In particular, it summarises the National Service Framework on Diabetes and reviews of the operation of the Framework, before presenting statistical evidence on the implementation of adult diabetes services in England.

POST Papers

DateDescription
16.07.2012Preventing Diabetes
This POSTnote describes the causes of diabetes and the known risk factors, and examines policy options for diabetes prevention.
15.03.2012Consumer Genetic Testing
This POSTnote explores the scientific, regulatory, and ethical issues related to genetic tests sold to consumers.
15.03.2012Personalised Cancer Treatments
Recent technological advances in both diagnostics and therapeutics have the potential to make the treatment of cancer more personalised.
12.10.2011Improving livestock
This note describes current technologies used in livestock breeding, research into future technologies and how the improvement of livestock can contribute towards future food security.
12.10.2011Livestock disease
This POSTnote examines disease threats to UK livestock, outlines prevention and control measures, and looks at factors likely to contribute to future disease.
01.06.2010Genetically Modified Insects, June 2010
This POST note discusses how insects are essential to global ecology and show remarkably varied adaptations to their environment. Their genetic modification has been proposed as a new way of controlling insect pests.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords