A Chronology of State Medicine, Public Health, Welfare and Related ...

Standards Agency as an independent watchdog on food safety (to become operational in
April 2000); and created new powers to carry out inspections of premises and to issue
guidance on the
1999 Cont 1
1999 cont control of food related outbreaks of disease.
Employment Relations Act (c.26) amended the 1992 act; made provisions for maternity
and parental leave; and introduced other changes.
Immigration and Asylum Act (c.33) introduced powers to disperse asylum seekers
around the country; to issue food vouchers in place of social security benefits; to speed up the
appeals system; to regulate immigration advisers; and to investigate proposed bogus
marriages.
Disability Rights Commission Act (c.17) established the Disability Rights Commission
to progress the elimination of discrimination against disabled persons; and to promote the
equalisation of opportunities for them.
Protection of Children Act (c.14) required lists to be kept by the Departments of Health
and of Education and Employment of persons considered unsuitable to work with children.
Pollution Prevention and Control Act (c.24) provided for the implementation of the European
Council Directive concerning integrated pollution prevention and control.
Access to Justice Act (c.22) established the Legal Services Commission, the
Community Legal Service and the Criminal Defence System; amended procedures and the
law concerned with the courts; and dealt with other legal matters.
Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (c.23) amended the law regarding young
offenders and the giving of evidence.
Freedom of Information Bill proposed giving the public access, on payment of a fee, to
administrative information and files from councils, schools and the health service; and other
measures.
Special Education Needs Bill proposed means to speed up decisions about the
education of children with physical, emotional and behavioural difficulties. Another
Education Bill proposed that all education and training beyond the age of 16 years should be
placed under a new Learning and Skills Council which would replace the Further Education
Funding Council for England and the Training and Enterprise Councils.
A White Paper "Modernising Parliament: Reforming the House of Lords", Cm.4183,
set out detailed terms of reference for a Royal Commission.
A White Paper, "Learning to Succeed", set out plans to streamline education and
careers services after GCSE level.
"Targeting Excellence: Modernising Scotland's Schools", Cm.4247, published.
A White Paper "A New Contract for Welfare: Safeguarding Social Security"
announced further measures to reduce fraudulent claims to social security benefits.
In a White Paper, "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation", Cm.4386, the Government set
targets for reducing deaths from heart disease, cancer, suicides, and accidents; proposed to set
up health action zones in the most deprived areas in England; and public health observatories
in each NHS region to identify and monitor local health needs and trends, maintain disease
registers and promote research. The Paper announced that the Health Education Authority
would be replaced by a new Health Development Agency, and that the specialty of public
health would be opened to those without medical training and a national development plan
for all public health staff would be initiated.
A White Paper "Towards a Healthier Scotland" proposed a sustained attack on
inequality, social exclusion and poverty by investing in housing, education and employment