To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the role of the new tuberculosis vaccine development in the (a) progress and (b) likely outcomes of the Global Plan to Stop TB 2006 to 2015. (138538)

The Global Plan to Stop TB estimates that a new vaccine will be launched between 2014 and 2018, so will not have a major role on the progress and outcomes of the Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-15. Simulations conducted as part of the Global Plan suggest that once introduced a new vaccine will reduce new cases of tuberculosis by 20 per cent. in the first 10 years and by 40 per cent. by 2050.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department made an estimate of the funding (a) required and (b) available to the programme for the research and development of a new tuberculosis vaccine. (138539)

The Global Plan to Stop TB 2006-15 estimates that $3.6 billion will be required to research and develop a new tuberculosis vaccine and that there is a funding gap of $1.5 billion.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he has considered the merits of providing research and development finance for the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation and its programme of work. (138540)

During 2007 DFID will be holding a consultation on a new strategy for research. As part of this consultation DFID will consider the merits of research and development for drugs and vaccines for neglected tropical diseases, including tuberculosis. DFID is already supporting the development of new drugs for tuberculosis, through the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation on its plans for the development and promotion of a new tuberculosis vaccine in developing countries. (138541)

Officials in DFID have met staff from the Aeras Global TB vaccine foundation several times in the last year and are kept up to date with its plans for the development and promotion of new tuberculosis vaccines in developing countries.

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the funding requirements of the future roll out of a global tuberculosis vaccination programme. (138542)

More work is required by the Stop TB Partnership to assess the funding requirements for the future roll out of a global tuberculosis vaccination programme. Some rough estimates suggest that about $340 billion per year will be required, based upon information from a number of sources.