To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) budget, (b) staffing levels and (c) aims have been set for the Health Protection Agency; and what percentage of the Health Protection Agency's budget will be dedicated to bio-defence.[109319]
The details of the budget distribution between the various activities of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) are currently being considered by the HPA Board and it is not possible to say what percentage will be dedicated to bio-defence.The fine details of the budget allocation from the Department of Health are still being finalised but we expect it to be in the region of £112 million. Added to this will be contracts—from both the private and public sectors—to the value of around £70 million.The HPA has a staffing establishment of 2,516.The functions of the HPA as set out in the Directions from the Secretary of State are:
Its aims and targets in fulfilling these functions will be detailed in its business and corporate plans, which are currently being finalised.