To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library copies of the self-assessment audit tools issued to the NHS in November 2007 to help strengthen pandemic influenza plans, as referred to on page 16 of his Department's NHS Winter Report 2007-08, published on 9 April 2008; whether the results of the audit will be collated at a national level; what steps he is taking to support NHS organisations in addressing issues raised in the audit; and if he will make a statement. (209086)

Copies of the self-assessment questionnaires issued to strategic health authorities (SHAs) have been placed in the Library.

The findings of the self-assessment are currently being considered at SHA level. This will assist in identifying where further improvements are required. Additional work is being done centrally to support the national health service in its preparedness planning.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has identified groups for which the pre-exposure prophylactic use of antivirals in the event of an influenza pandemic is required. (209087)

We currently have a sufficient stockpile of antiviral medicines to treat 25 per cent. of the population. In November 2007 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced proposals for the stockpile to be increased to cover 50 per cent. of the population. The adoption of a policy of household prophylaxis is still being considered by the Department.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health between what dates Operation United Endeavour II ran in January 2008, as stated on page 16 of his Department's NHS Winter Report 2007-08, published on 9 April 2008; when Operation United Endeavour I was run; what the outcomes were of Operations United Endeavour (a) I and (b) II; what form the daily cross-Government pandemic influenza report takes; and if he will make a statement. (209106)

Operation United Endeavour II took place between 14-18 January 2008. The previous United Endeavour exercise took place in November 2005.

The exercises demonstrated that the arrangements in place for surveillance during a pandemic are able to function effectively. A number of lessons to enhance the robustness and resilience of the system were identified in United Endeavour II which are being addressed. These include enhancements to the daily cross-Government pandemic influenza report which provides Ministers with the necessary information for key strategic and tactical decisions during a pandemic.