Public Health White Paper

Charlie Elphicke Excerpts

Tuesday 30th November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lansley]

No; the response to infectious diseases will continue to be the responsibility of the Department of Health, with a more integrated Public Health England incorporating the responsibilities of the Health Protection Agency and recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation and others. There was a lot of important debate about the discontinuation of the BCG inoculation. My view is that targeted action in areas with high prevalence of TB—as there is in a small number of places—is more appropriate than the introduction of any generalised inoculation at this stage.

[Charlie Elphicke (Dover) (Con)]

But when and how will action be taken on the evil of cheap supermarket booze?

[Mr Lansley]

My hon. Friend will not have to wait long for announcements from hon. Friends of mine in the Government.