The Church of England (CofE) has called for an inquiry into assisted dying.

It follows a U-turn by former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey, who said he would back legislation to allow the terminally ill in England and Wales get help to end their lives.
The current Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says the Assisted Dying Bill is "mistaken and dangerous".
But the Church said an inquiry would include expert opinion and carefully assess the arguments.
Speaking on behalf of the CofE, the Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said a Royal Commission would allow the "important issue" to be discussed at length.
He said the bill should be withdrawn to allow the inquiry to take place - a call which was immediately rejected by Lord Falconer, the Labour peer who tabled it.
Some 110 peers are already listed to speak when the House of Lords debates the private members bill on Friday.
Bishop Newcome also said the Church was "surprised" by Lord Carey's change in position, which had brought the issue to the public's attention.
Lord Carey wrote in the Daily Mail that he had dropped his opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill "in the face of the reality of needless suffering".
"The fact is that I have changed my mind. The old philosophical certainties have collapsed in the face of the reality of needless suffering."
He said it was the case of Tony Nicklinson, who had locked-in syndrome and died after being refused the legal right to die , who had had the "deepest influence" on his decision.
Lord Falconer's legislation would make it legal for adults in England and Wales to be given assistance ending their own life. It would apply to those with less than six months to live.
Two doctors would have to independently confirm the patient was terminally ill and had reached their own, informed decision to die.
Bishop Newcome said: "We were surprised by both the content and the timing of [Lord Carey's] article, but recognise that actually, quite a lot of good things have come out of it, including that it has brought some of the issues to the forefront of public discussion and highlighted just what an important issue this is.
There's been something of a shocked reaction to what Lord Carey said. Let's remember he's a former archbishop. He still has some influence in the Church, especially among the more traditionalist minded Anglicans.
So what he said really will have some consequences. He'll also have some influence presumably in the House of Lords, having argued in the past strongly against similar legislation.
One of the most telling things about what Lord Carey has said is that he now thinks it's not "un-Christian" to allow people to take their own lives when they're suffering at the end of their lives.
It speaks to a body of people, including in the Anglican church, who now feel they can to some extent re-interpret what it is to be Christian, to be Anglican and how to put that into practice in their everyday lives.
To hear that coming from a stalwart defender of biblical truth like Lord Carey is pretty significant.
"Certainly our hope as the Church of England is that the Falconer Bill will be withdrawn and that because this is such an important issue it could be discussed at length by a Royal Commission."
He said a Supreme Court ruling last month over a case brought by the widow of locked-in syndrome sufferer Tony Nicklinson had "heightened the stakes" over the issue.
However, he added that the Church was in favour of leaving the law on assisted suicide unchanged, because it provided a "good balance" between compassion and protection of the vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Lord Falconer said he did not believe a Royal Commission would be "sensible or appropriate" because it would take "a very long time" and that the issue needed to be discussed urgently.
Lord Carey, who was head of the Church of England between 1991 and 2002, said changing the law on assisted suicide would not be "anti-Christian".
He warned that by opposing Lord Falconer's bill and reform, the Church risked "promoting anguish and pain".
When Lord Carey was still the Archbishop of Canterbury he was among the opponents of Lord Joffe's Assisting Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill, which was successfully blocked in the House of Lords in 2006.
The 1961 Suicide Act makes it an offence to encourage or assist a suicide or a suicide attempt in England and Wales. Anyone doing so could face up to 14 years in prison.
The law is almost identical in Northern Ireland. There is no specific law on assisted suicide in Scotland, creating some uncertainty, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide legislation.
There have already been several attempts to legalise assisted dying, but these have been rejected.
The Commission on Assisted Dying, established and funded by campaigners who have been calling for a change in the law, concluded in 2012 that there was a "strong case" for allowing assisted suicide for people who are terminally ill in England and Wales.
But the medical profession and disability rights groups, among others, argue that the law should not be changed because it is there to protect the vulnerable in society.
In other countries, such as Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, legislation has been introduced to allow assisted dying. France is considering a possible introduction of similar legislation, although there is opposition from its medical ethics council.
Campaign group Dignity in Dying predicts that a lot more countries will follow suit.
The current Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby warned that Lord Falconer's bill would mean elderly and disabled people coming under pressure to end their lives.
"What sort of society would we be creating if we were to allow this sword of Damocles to hang over the head of every vulnerable, terminally-ill person in the country?" he wrote in the Times.
Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who is the Speaker's chaplain in the House of Commons, said having an assisted suicide law would sanitise death.
"I just happen to believe that matters of life and death in that way is not for us to play with. There are lots and lots of vulnerable people out there... you cannot make a law that is going to have a serious impact on a majority of people."
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children said Lord Carey's comments were a "blow for those sharing the burden of suffering".
But, Church of England General Synod member the Rev Canon Rosie Harper, vicar of Great Missenden, Bucks, supported Lord Carey's remarks and described his intervention as "mega".
"It means in effect that it is legitimate to be both Christian and hold these views," she said.
"I think it is a game changer."


A driver has been arrested after the death of an 80-year-old man in a crash.

He died at the scene of the collision, which involved his car and a Ford van close to the White Bull pub on Preston Road between Longridge and Grimsargh at about 16:45 BST on Tuesday.
A 25-year-old man from Longridge was held on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and possession of a Class A drug, Lancashire Police said.
He remained in custody on Wednesday and police have appealed for witnesses.


Everton may have scored a spectacular own goal by planning to build their new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey, an academic has warned.

The Toffeemen last week agreed a deal to buy land on which to build a Â£300m arena at Bramley Dock in Liverpool.
Manchester Metropolitan University researcher Graeme Heyes said forecasts suggest the site could be under water by 2100 due to rising sea levels.
Liverpool City Council declined to comment. Everton could not be reached.
In an article for The Conversation, Mr Heyes wrote: "As a researcher in sustainable business models, surely spending Â£300m on a waterfront stadium is a significant risk in terms of sea level rise?
"Recent research has shown that by the year 2100 sea levels could rise by two metres.
"That is only 83 years into the proposed stadium's 200-year lease."
"One can only hope the developers of this new stadium have undertaken a full climate change risk assessment - or have stocked up on sandbags!"


He may have secured the votes of four out of five white evangelical Christians and a majority of white Catholics, but President Donald Trump's decision to issue an executive order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries and blocking all refugees from Syria is attracting criticism from across the spectrum of religious belief.

The Reverend Samuel Rodriguez, who prayed at Mr Trump's inauguration and is president of the world's largest Hispanic Christian organisation, representing more than 100 million evangelicals, is signatory to a group letter asking Mr Trump to reconsider his suspension of refugee resettlement.
The letter, signed by eight other Christian leaders, says: "The Bible teaches us that each person - including each refugee, regardless of their country of origin, religious background, or any other qualifier - is made in the Image of God, with inherent dignity and potential.
"Their lives matter to God, and they matter to us."
Another clergyman who took part in the presidential inauguration, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, told reporters on Sunday that the executive order "at first blush causes us some apprehension".
Cardinal Dolan, who has been described as a friend of the president, said he needed time to hear the views of legal experts before consolidating a final opinion.
The United States' largest Muslim civil rights organisation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), denounced Mr Trump's order and has filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of more than 20 individuals whom it believes have been unconstitutionally prevented from entering the United States.
The lawsuit, which was filed in a US District Court in Virginia, says the executive order is unconstitutional because "its apparent purpose and underlying motive is to ban people of the Islamic faith in Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States".
These criticisms are being echoed in Britain.  At the annual dinner of charity World Jewish Relief, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis condemned Mr Trump's action.
"President Trump has signed an executive order that seeks to discriminate based totally on religion or nationality," he said. "We as Jews, perhaps more than any others, know what it's like to be the victims of discrimination."
He added: "There are so many millions of refugees who are receiving no hope from the United States of America, of all countries."
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, issued a statement expressing shock at the new immigration restrictions.
"It is extraordinary that any civilised country should stigmatise and ban citizens of other nations in the matter of providing humanitarian protection.
"In Christ, we are called to welcome the stranger especially when in desperate need."
On the same day as Mr Trump issued his order, he gave an interview to the Christian Broadcasting Network in which he claimed that his actions were not designed to discriminate against Muslims but instead to offer support to Christians, whom he said had been "horribly treated".
"If you were a Christian in Syria," he went on, "it was impossible, at least very, very tough, to get in the United States".
"If you were a Muslim, you could come in. But if you were a Christian, it was almost impossible."
But Mr Trump's claim that Muslims have been given preferential treatment when compared with Christians is not supported by the facts.
In 2016, according to the Pew Research Center, the United States admitted almost as many Christian refugees (37,521) as Muslim refugees (38,901).
In addition to referencing facts, several Church leaders are appealing to theology to defend their opposition to Mr Trump's order.
Dr Tim Keller, the minister of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York and the author of Generous Justice, argues that the parable of the Good Samaritan in the New Testament explains why offering assistance to those in need must be a bedrock of Christian faith and practice.
"By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew," he writes, "Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need - regardless of race, politics, class, and religion - is your neighbour.
"Not everyone is your brother or sister in the faith, but everyone is your neighbour, and you must love your neighbour."


Australia's Great Barrier Reef lost nearly a third of its corals in the past year, officials have said.

Coral "bleaching" has led to widespread coral decline and habitat loss on the world's largest coral reef system.
Surveys show that 29% of corals died in 2016, greater than the  figure of 22% projected in mid-2016.
The worst-hit area was near Port Douglas, where 70% of shallow water corals died, but there was a recovery of corals in the south of the reef.
The latest results come from surveys carried out by the Marine Park Authority, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Australian Institute of Marine Science and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority chairman Russell Reichelt said: "As has been the case with reefs across the world, the Great Barrier Reef has experienced significant and widespread impacts over the last two years.
"We're very concerned about what this means for the Great Barrier Reef itself and what it means for the communities and industries that depend on it."
According to newpaper reports, a meeting over the reef's future was recently told that the federal and Queensland government's long-term plan to protect the reef, announced in 2015, was no longer achievable.
Bleaching occurs when the algae living on coral is expelled due to stress caused by extreme, sustained changes in temperature. This turns the coral white.
In 2017, further coral die-offs are expected from the second year of bleaching in a row, and the impacts of tropical cyclone Debbie, the officials said.
Researchers say that climate change is a significant driver behind the coral loss and experts have said the window is closing fast to cut the greenhouse gas emissions pushing up temperatures and harming the reef.


The A8 is closed in Greenock due to a factory fire which broke out in the early hours of the morning.

Six fire appliances were sent to the McKechnie Jess factory in Port Glasgow Road when the alarm was raised at 03:22.
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said about 35 firefighters were tackling the blaze, and there were no casualties.
Diversions were in place, though HGVs were advised not to use these.


South African Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail while he awaits sentence for murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Judges changed his conviction from manslaughter to murder last week. He has already served one year in prison.
Pistorius now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment - to be set after a hearing on 18 April 2016.
He will also appeal against his murder conviction in the Constitutional Court, his lawyer has said.
This could see delays of many more months, says the BBC's Karen Allen at the high court in the South African capital, Pretoria.
Now that Oscar Pistorius has been granted bail, it must have come as a huge relief that he will spend Christmas at home. Sitting in court, I was left with an impression that the judge was not interested in imposing strict conditions.
Pistorius himself looked relaxed, chatting and laughing with his legal team during the brief adjournment while the judge was considering his fate.
The double amputee's bail application also revealed that he had enrolled to study "a BSc business with law degree" at the London School of Economics.
Pistorius indicated in court documents that he intended to lodge an appeal to the highest court in the land. This would be the very last legal avenue available for the disgraced athlete to overturn his conviction.
Bail has been set at 10,000 rand ($700, Â£450). Pistorius was deemed not to be a flight risk by Judge Audrey Ledwaba.
Pistorius can remain under house arrest at his uncle's home until sentencing next year, and will be electronically tagged. He also has to hand over his passport.
He will be able to leave the house between 7am and midday, but will only be able to move within a 20km (12 miles) radius.
He is currently under house arrest after spending one year of his original five-year sentence in jail.
In his bail affidavit, he said he had no income. During the hearing, his lawyer said he was only able to pay a sum of 10,000 rand for his bail.
The 29-year-old killed Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day after shooting four times through a locked toilet door.
Pistorius is a six-time Paralympic gold medallist whose legs were amputated below the knee as a baby. He made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in 2012, running on prosthetic "blades".
Last week, South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein accepted prosecution arguments and ruled that the lower court did not correctly apply the concept of "dolus eventualis" - whether Pistorius knew that a death would be a likely result of his actions.
When will he be sentenced?
The date set for the sentencing hearing has been set for 18 April. The minimum sentence for murder is 15 years, but the judge does have the discretion to lower it.
Can he appeal?
Yes, but only if his lawyers are convinced that the appeal judges violated his constitutional rights. So it is a high threshold, and hard to meet.
Is this the end of Pistorius' professional athletics career?
Almost certainly. He is 29, and will be past his prime by the time he is freed. It is also unlikely that advertisers would want to sponsor him, as the Pistorius brand is now tainted.
The making and unmaking of Oscar Pistorius
10 key moments from the trial
Last week's ruling said that having armed himself with a high-calibre weapon, Pistorius must have foreseen that whoever was behind the door might die, especially given his firearms training.
Pistorius always maintained that he believed there was an intruder in the house - but Justice Eric Leach said that the identity of the person behind the door was "irrelevant to his guilt".
The judge added that Pistorius did "not take that most elementary precaution of firing a warning shot".
Correspondents say that many in South Africa were upset by the original acquittal on murder charges. Women's rights groups argued he should have been found guilty of murder as a deterrent because of the high number of women who are killed by their partners in the country.
The double amputee was released from prison on 19 October under "correctional supervision", having served a sixth of his sentence.


The design for a planned £9.4m leisure centre and swimming pool in west Cumbria has been revealed.

Allerdale Borough Council says it will provide a "modern space" to replace old facilities set to be demolished.
The complex is proposed for Brow Top in Workington town centre, after most respondents to a public consultation last year favoured the site.
But a recent parish poll funded by Workington Town Council saw nearly nine out of 10 voters oppose the plans.
The vote, which took place on 13 March and is not legally binding, had a turnout of 640 votes cast from an electorate of more than 20,000.
Most of the 1,600 people who participated in last year's consultation preferred the Brow Top site, according to Allerdale council.
Forty-six per cent of respondents favoured the inclusion of a family entertainment complex alongside the leisure facilities, for which private investors are being sought.
Allerdale's Moorclose ward councillor, Denis Robertson, has spoken out against the plans, saying the site is on a flood plain and the ground has been contaminated by illegal coal mining.
His ward includes the town's current swimming pool and leisure centre.
Detailed plans will be submitted to the council's development control department on 14 April and will go on show to the public at two open events, on 9 and 10 April.
Councillor Michael Heaslip, executive member for locality services for Allerdale, said the complex would be "modern, user-friendly, energy efficient and will give residents and visitors a fantastic leisure facility".


Francesco Guidolin's reign as Swansea head coach began with an impressive and much-needed victory at Everton.

The Italian oversaw an improved display from the Swans, who led through Gylfi Sigurdsson's penalty.
The hosts levelled when Gareth Barry's near-post flick from a corner was touched into his own net by Jack Cork but Ayew's deflected strike won it.
Everton missed a host of chances, the best of which Seamus Coleman put over from six yards with the final kick.
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This was the Welsh side's first league win over Everton but, more importantly, it is the first time they have managed successive victories in the Premier League this season, adding to Monday's 1-0 home success over Watford.
They are up to 15th in the table and now have a cushion between themselves and Newcastle in 18th and a momentum that eludes their relegation rivals.
It is another disappointing result for the Toffees, who twice threw away a lead to draw at Chelsea last weekend and have now won just three of their past 14 matches at Goodison Park and one win in 10 league matches overall.
They are 12th in the table having gone into the campaign hoping to improve on last season's 11th-placed finish.
Guidolin, 61, has spent the majority of his 30-year managerial career in Italy, most recently with Udinese, who he motivated to gain results seemingly beyond their means.
If he is to perform a similar task at Swansea, who had won just once in 11 Premier League away games prior to Sunday, he has begun in the right fashion.
Last weekend, Guidolin watched from the stands as the Swans ground out a narrow win over Watford - but they were more forceful from the start at Everton, working hard to win the ball high up the pitch and moving it effectively when they did.
In the opening 15 minutes they had over 60% of possession and took their first-half chances when they came, scoring from both of their shots on target.
Both goals came with a helping hand from home defender John Stones. His under-hit back-pass allowed Ayew to nip in and draw a foul from Tim Howard for the penalty, then his sliding attempt to block the Ghana forward's shot took it past the keeper for the second.
Swansea rode their luck on occasion as Everton went in search of an equaliser after the break, but they showed discipline and determination that will stand them in good stead for a relegation battle.
Everton were on the wrong end of a couple of referee decisions on Sunday - a handball by Ashley Williams to set up the move from which Ayew scored Swansea's second and a dismissed claim for a penalty when Neil Taylor blocked Coleman's cross with his arm.
They were also unlucky to suffer two injuries in the first half, which deprived them of Kevin Mirallas and Muhamed Besic, who had hit the post with the first shot of the game.
Ultimately, though, the home side have only themselves to blame for their failure to gain at least a point from the game.
Stones' error and misfortune helped the Swans score their goals, while the Toffees' own wastefulness prevented them adding to their leveller, which found the far corner of the net off Cork after Barry had flicked on a Deulofeu corner.
Spanish winger Deulofeu delivered several crosses from the right that his team-mates were unable to convert, Romelu Lukaku twice headed over and Coleman dragged a shot wide before somehow side-footing over from just a few yards out in the final minute of added time.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez:  "We were very slow in our performance - pedestrian - but two aspects affected our momentum which was the two injuries.
"The first half and second half performance were very contrasting.
"We created enough chances to win the game. The fearful aspect of our performance was a real shame."
Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin: "Six points in two matches is very important for us because the table was not good.
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"Now it is not very good. I hope to have the possibility to go up in the table.
"In this moment I am very happy. This is the first match in Premier League for me. I dreamed of working in Premier League but I didn't dream of winning the first match.
"I must understand what happens in this day because I am surprised. It is new for me."
Everton have a cup double next. They are in Capital Cup action, taking a 2-1 lead to Manchester City for the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday before then going to Carlisle in the fourth round of the FA Cup next Sunday.
Swansea travel to West Brom - who are now just three points above them - for another big Premier League fixture on Tuesday, 2 February.


Alex Blake's stunning 46-ball hundred for Kent was in vain as Peter Trego helped Somerset to a four-wicket One-Day Cup win with his own fine century.

Set 353 for victory, all-rounder Trego smashed 135 off 119 balls and James Hildreth hit a quickfire 64 to guide the hosts to 354-6 at Taunton.
Blake had earlier struck seven sixes in his 58-ball 116 and opener Daniel Bell-Drummond made 106 in Kent's 352-6.
But Trego's heroics with lower-order support saw Somerset ease home.
Despite losing opener Steven Davies for a third-consecutive duck in the competition, Trego, Dean Elgar (55) and Hildreth made sure Somerset were always up with the required run-rate of more than seven an over.
They have now won their opening three matches in the cup, although victory looked unlikely after 28-year-old Blake had bludgeoned their bowlers around the ground to bring up one of the fastest List A centuries in history.
Blake smeared several maximums over mid-wicket, reaching his hundred after less than an hour at the crease, before he was caught by Trego on the long-off boundary.
However, by the time Trego himself was dismissed by James Tredwell, having shared century stands with Elgar and Hildreth, Somerset needed just 49 to win off 49 balls with five wickets in hand.
Adam Hose fell for 39, but Roelof van der Merwe and Lewis Gregory completed the job.


Brazil won their first gold medal of the Rio Olympics as Rafaela Silva triumphed in the women's -57kg judo.

Silva defeated world number one Sumiya Dorjsuren of Mongolia by Waza-ari to delight a partisan crowd at Carioca 2.
The gold medal marks a fairytale rise to Olympic triumph from a childhood in Rio's notorious 'City of God' favela for Silva.
"Judo is my life," said Silva. "I love competing at home, because of the fans. Their cheering helps a lot."
And she added: "I hope that this medal opened doors for more medals this week."
Silva qualified for the London 2012 Games but was disqualified in the early rounds for a rule violation.
London champion Kaori Matsumoto of Japan took bronze alongside five-time European champion Telma Monteiro of Portugal.
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A huge blaze engulfed a 700-tonne scrap metal heap at a recycling plant in Birmingham.

The fire, on Aston Church Road in Nechells, was reported at about 17:20 GMT on Saturday.
At its height, eight pumps were sent to tackle the fire, and people living nearby were warned to close windows and doors.
West Midlands Fire Service said crews remained at the scene on Sunday. The cause of the fire is not yet known.


A US Navy sailor has been arrested on the Japanese island of Okinawa on suspicion of rape.

The 24-year-old man, named as Justin Castellanos by police, denies the allegations, local media reports say.
It follows a decision to halt construction work for the relocation of a US base in Okinawa last week.
The US military's presence in Okinawa - hosting the majority of US troops in Japan - is a divisive issue on the island.
Japan's central government, keen to have a significant US military presence in the country at a time of increased tension with China, is much more supportive of the bases.
Recently there has been considerable controversy over the relocation of the Futenma airbase from its densely populated current site to a more remote area. Local officials and many residents want the base removed entirely.
The land reclamation project necessary for the move has been temporarily halted under a court-mediated settlement, but Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the government still plans to eventually relocate the base to Henoko, south of Nago city.
The suspect is accused of taking the alleged victim into his room and raping her after finding her asleep in the corridor of his hotel, according to local media reports.
The woman is said to be in her 40s and visiting from Japan's main southern island of Kyushu.
The Japanese government's top spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, said the government had "expressed a strong protest" to the US and added that he hoped police can solve the case.
"The US side said it would be a very disappointing incident if the allegation was true and that they're taking this matter seriously," he said.
Expressing fewer reservations, Okinawa's governor, Takeshi Onaga, told Kyodo news agency: "It was a serious crime in violation of women's human rights and can never be tolerated. I feel strong resentment."
Rapes and other crimes by US troops on the islands have prompted local protests in the past.
In 1995, three American servicemen were convicted of kidnapping and raping a 12-year-old girl on her way home from school in Okinawa, leading to massive protests and a reduction in the US military presence.
The site of brutal fighting between Japanese and US forces during World War Two, Okinawa is now central to the Japan-US security alliance formed in the years after that war.
Okinawa makes up less than one percent of Japan's total land area but hosts about 26,000 US troops - more than half of the 47,000 in the country in total.


Prime Minister Julia Gillard has issued an apology to people affected by Australia's forced adoption policy between the 1950s and 1970s.

Tens of thousands of babies of unmarried, mostly teenage mothers, were thought to have been taken by the state and given to childless married couples.
Many women said they were coerced into signing away their children.
Speaking in front of hundreds of the victims, Ms Gillard said the "shameful" policy had created "a legacy of pain".
"Today, this Parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, takes responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering," she said at Parliament House in the capital Canberra.
"We deplore the shameful practices that denied you, the mothers, your fundamental rights and responsibilities to love and care for your children."
The prime minister said mothers had been denied knowledge of their rights, which meant they could not provide informed consent.
"You were given false assurances, you were forced to endure the coercion and brutality of practices that were unethical, dishonest and in many cases illegal," Ms Gillard said.
Many people in the crowd broke down in tears during her speech, which was greeted with applause.
Ms Gillard also announced the Australian government would provide A$5 million (Â£3.4m) funding to improve access to specialist support, records tracing and mental health care for those affected by forced adoption.
Last February, a Senate committee called for the national apology after investigating the impact of the policy.
The report was based on submissions from hundreds of women.
Many said they gave up their children because of stigma attached to unmarried motherhood at the time.
Some said they were drugged, while others said their signatures were forged.


A decision on plans to build more than 2,000 homes on a former airfield in Surrey has been delayed.

Wisley Property Investments is hoping to build homes, shops, a school, health centre and sports pitch on the former Wisley Airfield site.
A decision was expected by 24 December but Guildford councillor Tony Rooth said more information was needed.
However, Guildford greenbelt councillor Susan Parker fears the delay will play into the developer's hands.
Ms Parker, leader of the Guildford Greenbelt Group, said the decision could be taken away from the borough if it doesn't come to a decision by the agreed date.
She explained: "The applicant could seek to go to the inspector on the grounds of non-determination which means the council hasn't decided therefore you have to decide Mr Inspector.
"And the inspector normally has more of the presumption in favour of approving something if there has been non-determination."
But Guildford's lead councillor on housing Tony Rooth said it was a very big project with "all sorts of issues" which would take a long time to evaluate.
He added:  "What we need are brownfield sites where much-needed housing in Guildford can be built.
"Whether Wisley qualifies as a brownfield, or even a white concrete site as opposed to a Greenbelt site, we will evaluate when the applications are fully ready to consider."
Guildford Borough Council confirmed the 24 December date was "now unlikely" and said it would be seeking to agree a further extension of time.


Save the Children says the number of migrants arriving in the Greek islands has nearly doubled in recent weeks, putting pressure on overcrowded camps.

So far in August 1,367 arrivals have been reported in Greece compared with 1,721 in the entire month of May.
The charity says the increase is partly down to insecurity since the failed coup in Turkey last month.
After more than a million migrants crossed to Europe in 2015, Turkey agreed in March to help stem the flow.
Most of the arrivals had come to the Greek islands from the west coast of Turkey.
Since the EU signed a deal with Turkey to halt the influx, the numbers have dropped dramatically but there are fears the reduction may not be sustainable.
And because of new rules that prevent irregular migrants crossing to the Greek mainland, record numbers have become stuck in increasing squalid conditions, and are becoming more angry and desperate, says the UK-based charity.
More than 10,000 migrants are currently being held on islands of Lesbos, Chios and Samos - the bulk of whom are fleeing violence and poverty in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.
"Mothers with small babies are being forced to sleep on the ground in makeshift tents," said Katie Dimmer, Save the Children's director of operations in Greece.
"Children and breastfeeding women are suffering from dehydration due to water shortages in some camps, and tensions are increasing as basic services, such as toilets and showers, are stretched."
Average daily arrivals on the Greek islands have risen from 56 in May to 90 in August, Save the Children says. However, the figures are dramatically down from a year ago, when 107,843 refugees and migrants arrived in Greece in August alone.
Source: International Organisation for Migration./UN
The summer months routinely see a rise in the number of migrants attempting to reach Europe as they take advantage of better weather conditions to make the arduous journey.
Administrative disorder in Turkey following July's attempted putsch could partly explain migrant numbers rising once again. But deteriorating Turkey-EU relations could also be a factor in the rise, say observers.
In March, the EU pledged to work towards visa-free travel for Turks to Europe's Schengen zone in exchange for Turkey's assistance in curbing migrants crossing to the Greek islands.
But after a Turkish crackdown following the attempted coup, that looks increasingly unlikely.
Imad Aoun, of Save the Children in Greece, says that has prompted Turkey to relax its pursuit of people smugglers.
"This just shows the agreement is not sustainable," Mr Aoun told the BBC. "Last year everyone was moving through the islands within days, now they are stuck and more people continue to come.
"There is local fatigue and tension too. Locals rely on tourism and they are struggling to cope. This is making the situation worse.
"The route is still open unofficially. This is not being reported sufficiently. There's a fake sense of accomplishment in EU corridors and among EU leaders, as if this migration crisis has been resolved, just because the 'official numbers' are less than last year's.
"But Serbia is recording an average of 300 new arrivals entering the country unofficially every day - 9,000 per month. The Balkan route is wide open."


Persuading the public to spend their holiday in a 12-storey building on the edge of the M42 may seem like a tough task for the people behind Resorts World in Birmingham.

Roughly based on the shape of a cruise ship, the behemoth is situated at the NEC complex on the outskirts of the city - officially part of Solihull and an area few people would have on their mini-break hot list.
So how will it compare to other resort destinations?
Nestled within the sprawling NEC, Resorts World is not in a glamorous spot.
It is bordered by the M42 motorway, Birmingham Airport and the large housing estate of Chelmsley Wood. But does that matter?
The Genting Group is not aiming for guests at the resort to have a local experience.
With an Asian-themed spa, Australasian-themed restaurant and New York-themed bar, Birmingham - or even the UK - does not intrude.
The idea, which has proved popular in Malaysia and the Philippines, is that once through the doors of Resorts World, visitors could be anywhere. Or nowhere.
The business behind Resorts World, Malaysian conglomerate the Genting Group, already owns and runs more than 40 casinos in the UK - as well as casino resorts in the Philippines, Bahamas, New York, Singapore and Malaysia.
The International Casino in Birmingham will have more than 100 slot machines, as well as roulette, poker, blackjack and baccarat.
The 100-seat sports bar, with large multi-screens and "luxurious private viewing booths" facilitates live match play, and with no windows for daylight to remind gamblers how time is passing, it is open 24 hours a day.
Resorts World respects gender difference. Away from the sports bar and its rampant masculinity, there is a drinks menu for those of us without a Y chromosome: "For the ladies we offer an extensive list of tantalising cocktails, why not try our Genting Spring Punch or the Hurricane Rita?"
It may be smaller and arguably less glamorous than Las Vegas - but once inside, a casino is a casino.
The Genting Hotel promises its rooms "offer a self-contained sanctuary to make you feel right at home". Facilities include a Smart TV, coffee machine, ironing board and a bed.
Like the world-famous Bellagio casino and hotel in Las Vegas, Resorts World Birmingham enjoys a waterfront location.
There may not be a spectacular fountain display, but guests in Birmingham can opt for one of the five-star suites, "complete with panoramic lakeside views".
An Asian-themed spa is due to open in the next few months, with a private entrance "away from the eyes of the public" for hotel guests, so they can come down from their rooms wearing dressing gowns without being exposed to the stares of shoppers and gamblers.
The ground floor of Resorts World Birmingham houses more than 50 shops - all of them outlet stores. Deliberately less aspirational than the high-end retailers of Bicester Shopping Village, Resorts World offers an eclectic mix.
Yves Delorme ("a passion for luxury home linens since 1845") is just round the corner from Hallmark's discounted greetings card shop.
Fitness fanatics can check out Nike's outlet store before popping to nearby Holland and Barrett for health food - unless cut-price chocolate at Thornton's proves too tempting.
And should you wish to "fragrance your special event", Farringdon and Forbes sells "luxurious home fragrances and accessories".
There are 18 bars and restaurants to keep people fed and watered.
On the rooftop the Sky Bar is designed around a "theatrical centrepiece teriyaki and yakitori grill, where food is freshly prepared for you while you enjoy signature cocktails inspired by Wu Xing, the five elements of Asian philosophy".
Visitors can "embrace the thrill" of the Robata Charcoal Grill, which offers "an inspiring fusion of western European, Australasian and Pan Pacific cuisine".
Opposite the Genting Arena gig venue, the World Bar tempts with imported wines and beers that span the globe.
Genting hopes that by offering everything under one roof, the resort itself is the destination.
If the company is right, the centre of England might just end up the centre of the holiday world.


Ospreys rose to second in the Pro12 table as they ground out a victory over west Wales rivals Scarlets.

Rhys Patchell's three first-half penalties to Dan Biggar's two put the visitors ahead at the break.
A penalty try and Biggar's boot rewarded Ospreys after the break as he topped 2,000 points for the region.
Scarlets also had three players sin-binned, Rob Evans for a high tackle and Will Boyde and Steffan Evans for dragging down mauls.
There was little to commend the opening period in which defences dominated attacking play and tactical kicking was the route chosen to make ground.
The talking points were a high tackle and a rare penalty kick miss.
Scarlets prop Rob Evans' rash high challenge in the 23rd minute on Ospreys wing Dan Evans earned him 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
But even with their opponents a man short, Ospreys were unable to take advantage.
Home skipper Alun Wyn Jones was held up over the line and even before the video ref offered his verdict, the Wales lock's wry grimace indicated he had not scored.
Moments later, Jones was downed five metres out and a lack of support ensured Scarlets' eager defence earned them a penalty to thwart the threat.
Back came Ospreys to give Biggar a simple shot at goal, but his miss was the most uncharacteristic moment of the half.
Visiting 10 Rhys Patchell had opened the scoring and added two more penalties while Biggar made amends with the last kick before the break.
Ospreys' change of approach after the break was rewarded after wing Keelan Giles' attack from deep took them into Scarlets' 22.
Pressure from the scrums and line-outs that followed ended with the hosts being awarded a penalty try.
The score also led to a try-line scuffle and Scarlets flanker Will Boyde being sin-binned for having dragged down Ospreys' driving maul.
Biggar converted and in Boyde's absence, Scarlets also lost wing DTH van der Merwe to injury and Biggar stretched the lead with a penalty.
Van der Merwe's replacement Evans dived at the feet of Ospreys' forward drive to earn his 10 minutes in the sin-bin.
Biggar also punished Evans' transgression by putting over his fourth and final penalty to ensure the home win.
Ospreys: Sam Davies; Keelan Giles, Ashley Beck, Josh Matavesi, Dan Evans; Dan Biggar, Brendon Leonard; Nicky Smith, Sam Parry, Ma'afu Fia, Rory Thornton, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), James King, Justin Tipuric, Dan Baker.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Paul James, Rhodri Jones, Lloyd Ashley, Olly Cracknell, Sam Underhill, Tom Habberfield, Kieron Fonotia.
Scarlets: Liam Williams; Johnny McNicholl, Hadleigh Parkes, Scott Williams, DTH van der Merwe; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Ken Owens (capt), Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Tadhg Beirne, Aaron Shingler, Will Boyde, John Barclay.
Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, Tom Price, Josh Macleod, Jonathan Evans, Dan Jones, Steff Evans.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Dan Jones, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
Citing commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (WRU)
TMO: Tim Hayes (WRU)


Former Wales forward Jodie Botterill and Daniel Seviour will take joint-charge of Jersey's women's side at the upcoming Island Games.

The pair have been in temporary charge since Simon Petulla resigned in March, overseeing two defeats in friendlies.
Meanwhile, prolific striker Catarina Andrade and Amy Brown have withdrawn from the squad for Gotland, replaced by Fiona MacKinnon and Ella Brennand.
Jersey will look to defend the gold medal they won on home turf in 2015.
Jersey FA chief executive Neville Davidson told BBC Sport: "Jodie and Dan have come in and organised things.
"They did very well against Sheffield United Women and basically they're moving things forward.
"They've committed to Gotland and after that we'll all sit down and see if they want to continue."


An extra £4m has been pledged to cap water bills for households with a total annual income of £15,000 or less.

From April 2017, householders who apply and are accepted on Welsh Water's HelpU tariff will have bills capped at £190 per year.
It follows a consultation on how the company's surplus should be used.
The not-for-profit firm said it helps about 63,000 customers struggling with water bills, and plans to increase this to 100,000 or more by 2020.
It comes on top of £340m going on capital projects this financial year and a £32m investment announced in June 2016 as a result of the company's not-for-profit ownership structure.
Welsh Water said the average household bill for 2017-18 will be £439, compared to £437 in 2016-2017.
Chief executive Chris Jones said: "Supporting our most vulnerable customers - along with pursuing those who could pay, but do not - benefits all our customers."


The fashion for dogs with flat noses has created animals who have difficulty breathing and seeing, according to the British Veterinary Association.

It says the creation of breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, shih-tzus and King Charles spaniels has "increased animal suffering".
Existing owners share their views on the advice.
I became the proud owner of a pug about eight years ago, before they were as popular as they are now.
They are amazing little dogs, incredibly loving and good natured with wonderful, cheeky personalities.
Having said that, when I bought him, I was unaware of quite how significant their medical problems can be.
Valentino, as the poor little monkey is called, has scratched his bulging eyes loads of times.
He only has to bump into something and there's a risk he'll lose a chunk of his eyeball.
Not that I've ever seen that happen.
I just notice thereafter, sometimes days thereafter, when his eye begins to close and weep.
At that point, it's straight off to the vet for treatment for the eye ulcer that has inevitably formed.
We've had that happen to us three times now, maybe four.
As much as the worst thing about it is the pain for your little dog, the expense is important to consider too.
We've spent anywhere from a couple of hundred pounds to about Â£1,500 treating the ulcers, depending on how soon they were noticed and how bad they were.
Insurance will generally cover the cost, but if you haven't got insurance, which for pugs is very expensive, then you're going to have to fork out a lot on the poor little mite.
As much as I adore pugs, I would find it hard to argue about restrictions being placed on their breeding.
When we bought him, we thought a pure, pedigree dog was the way to go.
Now, the thought sickens me.
I own a Pekingese - a breed people don't see much any more.
I found out about the breed when I was a manager at a care home and a lot of my clients talked about the breeds.
When I decided to buy a dog, I made sure that I did plenty of research and was careful in my choice of breeder.
I looked specifically for a pup with no roll over its nose and a clear muzzle.
I feel that my dog, Dolly, is a healthy and safe example of good breeding that I want people to look for.
She is very healthy, she can walk miles, swim, play in streams and she often works in care with me helping people with dementia.
I always wanted a short dog.
I did my research and bought Hugo.
Even though he's my world, I agree that people should stop buying them.
They take a hell of a lot of work to make sure they don't exert themselves and keeping them cool when it's warm, that's when they're most likely get into difficulties.
Merlin was our Christmas gift to our family of four in 2012.
We decided on the breed after extensive research.
Nobody mentioned any breathing problems, however the research did warn us about heart problems at later stages of life.
We wouldn't change anything  about him.
He's brought so much joy and given endless love to us all.


An estimated 5,000 campaigners encircled a hospital to protest about the potential downgrading of services.

A consultant-led maternity unit is among the services under threat at Banbury's Horton General Hospital.
The Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (OUH) is looking at planned care, urgent care, maternity and children's services.
Medical director Dr Tony Berendt said decisions would be made in the interests of patient safety.
The 'Hands Around Our Horton' protest was supported by Banbury's Conservative MP Victoria Prentis, who said she was "absolutely thrilled" to see so many supporters turn out.
"I was born in the Horton and generations of my family have been treated there countless times," she said.
"I am worried that mothers' and babies' lives will be put at risk if they have to be transferred to Oxford during labour.
"I know how quickly things can go wrong and it's really important to have consultants to hand."
If proposals go ahead, specialist services could be transferred almost 30 miles to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital.
Val Ingram, from the Save our Horton group, said the campaigners were "simply amazing for turning out in droves to support the hospital".
Dr Berendt said: "We still have a number of obstetrician vacancies unfilled so we wouldn't be able to run a safe rota.
"We have no alternative but to look at contingency plans."
The OUHT board of directors will meet on 31 August to decide whether obstetric services at the Horton Hospital will be suspended from the end of September.
If they are, the unit would be midwife-led until enough obstetricians are in place.
In 2008 campaigners won a battle to stop maternity and children's services being transferred elsewhere.


A 19-year-old man has been arrested over an attack on a man outside a nightclub in Greenock.

Another 19-year-old was left seriously injured after being attacked at the Red club in Cross Shore Street at about 02:20 on Saturday.
He was taken to Inverclyde Royal Hospital, where his condition was described as serious but stable.
The arrested man is expected to appear at Greenock Sheriff Court on Monday.


Sixty staff who lost their jobs after a fire wrecked a Swansea factory have been found work elsewhere, said bosses.

Pure Wafer held a consultation period to help about 130 workers after making the decision not to rebuild the Llansamlet factory in May.
The company switched its production of silicon wafers for computer chips to a sister site in the United States.
Pure Wafer said the decision not to rebuild after the fire in December came after carefully considering the costs.


A man has been charged with three counts of possessing a bladed article in a public place.

Daniel Bebb-Jones, 23, was arrested by anti-terror police near an Army reserve centre on Sunday night in possession of knives and an axe.
Police say there are not believed to be any links to terrorism.
Mr Bebb-Jones, from Merton Close, Kidderminster, will appear before Redditch Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.
See more stories from Hereford and Worcester here


They were one of America's favourite families in the late 1980s and '90s - with their affectionate bickering, everyday crises, growing pains and belly laughs beamed into more than 20 million homes in the US.

Now the Conners are coming back, more than 20 years after the last episode of Roseanne was aired.
All the original cast are returning - after getting up to some successful and surprising stuff in the intervening two decades.
In another reality, instead of President Trump, we might now be talking about President Barr.
In 2012, the real Roseanne ran for president. She didn't get very near the White House, though - she failed to gain the presidential nomination for the Green Party and ended up running for the Peace and Freedom Party, gaining 67,000 votes.
As well as that, she's had her own talk show, done stand-up comedy, judged Last Comic Standing, hosted Momsters: When Moms Go Bad and starred in the reality show Roseanne's Nuts, about her macadamia nut farm in Hawaii.
And in 2015, she revealed she has macular degeneration and glaucoma, saying at the time her vision was "closing in now".
Goodman was brilliant as Roseanne's husband Dan and he's remained one of America's best-loved actors, plying his trade in films like The Big Lebowski, The Flintstones, 10 Cloverfield Lane and Kong: Skull Island.
On TV, he's starred in political comedy Alpha House and middle-age coming-out sitcom Normal, Ohio - and reunited with Barr for a pilot of a sitcom called Downwardly Mobile in 2012. But it was never made into a series.
That same year he spoke about a 30-year battle with alcoholism, telling the Guardian: "It was becoming more and more debilitating. It was life or death. It was time to stop."
Metcalf found fame as Roseanne's little sister Jackie, but has certainly stepped out of her on-screen big sister's shadow.
She's had Emmy nominations for guest spots in 3rd Rock from the Sun, Monk and Desperate Housewives - and in 2016 got a hat-trick of Emmy nominations in a single year, for Getting On, Big Bang Theory and Horace and Pete.
On stage, she's had four Tony Award nominations for her appearances on Broadway - including for Misery in 2016 and A Doll's House, Part 2 this year.
Gilbert, who played sardonic younger daughter Darlene, is now a co-host and executive producer of CBS talk show The Talk.
She hosts with Sharon Osbourne, Aisha Tyler (both pictured), Sheryl Underwood and Julie Chen - who shared the Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding entertainment talk show host last month.
She's also had parts in The Big Bang Theory, Twins, The Class and ER and has published a book called The Imperfect Environmentalist, A Practical Guide to Clearing Your Body, Detoxing Your Home, and Saving the Earth (Without Losing Your Mind).
She's married to hit songwriter and one quarter of Four Non Blondes Linda Perry, and recently got together with John Goodman to give us a taste of what a Roseanne reunion might look like.
DJ - Roseanne and Dan's son - is all grown up.
Fishman, who started out in Roseanne at the age of six, went back to high school to study performing arts and technical theatre craft. He continued to have small roles in TV shows and films, and became a co-host on Barr's talk show.
His Facebook biog says: "In recent years Michael has continued his pursuit of acting while gaining technical acclaim with an eye toward producing and directing."
Lecy Goranson played older daughter Becky for five seasons until she went to college, after which Sarah Chalke took over the role. However, Goranson returned, on and off, towards the end of the show's life.
Goranson will play Becky in the reboot. However, in a nice touch, ABC says Chalke will also appear, but in "another role".
Since Roseanne, the actress has had small parts in films like Hilary Swank's Oscar winner Boys Don't Cry and guest starred in TV shows including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Sex and the City.
Not many people have had major parts in two of the biggest sitcoms in American TV history.
But Galecki, who appeared as Darlene's boyfriend-then-husband David Healy in Roseanne, went on to (and still does) play Leonard in The Big Bang Theory.
In between, he played Mark Corrigan in the (terrible looking) pilot for an American version of British comedy Peep Show.
Reports say he's expected to return to Roseanne in some way - although this hasn't been confirmed by ABC.
Follow us on Facebook, on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts, or on Instagram at bbcnewsents. If you have a story suggestion email entertainment.news@bbc.co.uk.


A police officer who gave a fugitive a lift home in his patrol car instead of arresting him has been sacked for gross misconduct.

PC Ian Johnson also sent texts joking about the murders of colleagues Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who were based at his station in Hyde.
At a hearing, Mr Johnson was dismissed with immediate effect by Greater Manchester Police.
A second officer, PC Gareth Lynch, was also sacked for not speaking up.
Mr Johnson told the hearing that he was "scared" of the man who he had given a lift to.
A spokeswoman for GMP said he would not be facing criminal charges for perverting the course of justice after he was cleared by a Crown Court jury of misconduct in a public office in January last year.
After a bar fight in Hyde, Greater Manchester, police were searching for a suspect thought to be involved. He was later spotted entering the Queen Adelaide pub.
A short time later, Mr Johnson sent a radio message back to base saying he and his colleague Mr Lynch had checked the building, with the suspect not there.
The hearing was told adequate checks had not been made.
In a recording released by GMP, Mr Johnson told a control room operator: "Yeah, myself and Gary have been into the pub. It would appear he's gone straight in the front which leads into an estate. He's not in the pub at the moment."
Operator: "So you think he's done one from the pub from the opposite end?"
Mr Johnson: "Yeah. I'm just trying to work out where that thing takes you out onto. He's still living in Hattersley so he will roll up their eventually."
CCTV footage shown during the misconduct hearing shows Mr Johnson initially driving away from the pub, on Stockport Road.
He then returns, with the suspect seen outside the pub flagging down his patrol car. The pair drove off together, heading for the suspect's home in Hattersley.
The suspect was arrested the following day by other colleagues, police said. He is currently serving a prison sentence and is not eligible for parole until mid 2018.
After a counselling session shortly after the deaths of his colleagues, the hearing heard a text was sent from Mr Johnson's phone, saying he should have "got an Oscar for today's performance".
A second text was sent with words to the effect he "couldn't be bothered" going to one of their funerals.
PCs Fiona Bone, 32, and Nicola Hughes, 23, were shot dead by Dale Cregan in 2012.
At the police disciplinary hearing, Mr Lynch was also sacked for not challenging Mr Johnson for sending a false message on the radio.


The world's longest aircraft has been brought out of its hangar for the first time.

The Airlander 10, a plane-airship hybrid, was piloted out of the UK's biggest hangar at Cardington Airfield, Bedfordshire, at 04:00 BST on Saturday.
The 302ft-long (92m) aircraft passed with just a few feet to spare through the hangar doors and was then towed for 30 minutes to its mast site.
It was the public debut for the Â£25m craft, christened the Martha Gwyn.
Tests on its engines, generators and systems were completed last week, while ground systems tests will now be carried out.
The date of its maiden flight has yet to be announced.
The machine is about 60ft (18m) longer than the biggest passenger jets.
British firm Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has spent the past nine years developing the prototype in the Cardington hangar after the US Army ran out of money to develop it as a surveillance machine.
HAV has said the vessel could have many uses including surveillance, communications, transporting cargo, humanitarian missions and passenger travel.


A whistleblowing helpline for NHS Scotland is facing criticism following a steep decline in calls.

A new report has found that calls to the confidential "alert line" have fallen by 75% since it was set up two years ago.
Critics claim the service is "completely toothless" and staff are too frightened to raise concerns.
The Scottish government said it was part of a wider package of measures to support NHS staff.
They said potential whistleblowers should have the confidence to speak up without fear and know genuine concerns would be investigated properly.
Public Concern at Work (PCaW), an independent charity, has been paid more than Â£50,000 to run the alert line for NHS Scotland since April 2014.
The service was initially launched as a pilot and during its first six months it received 73 calls from concerned health workers.
But, in a new review for the Scottish government, the charity revealed just 18 whistleblowers called the helpline during the six months to 31 January 2016.
It also found that:
The data has raised further fears that some health workers are reluctant to raise concerns about unsafe working practices.
Earlier this year, an NHS staff survey revealed 24% of employees did not believe it was safe to challenge "quality, negligence or wrongdoing" by staff.
And last month, NHS Scotland's chief executive, Paul Gray, admitted some staff fear being victimised for speaking out.
Whistleblowers have told BBC Scotland the advice line generally refers them back to the organisation they are complaining about.
That means the service is "of no value at all" and "completely toothless", according to Dr Jane Hamilton.
The consultant perinatal psychiatrist said she used it to voice fears over safety at NHS Lothian after "exhausting" her options with the health board.
The campaigner, who no longer works for the NHS in Scotland, called for the establishment of an wholly independent service with investigatory powers.
"The bottom line is if it's not independent and it has no powers, no statutory powers to investigate, then how can it be of any use at all?" she said.
Twelve callers turned to the alert line after first raising their concerns with managers, suggesting they had confidence in internal whistleblowing procedures, according to the PCaW report.
However, the report said there was a general trend of callers indicating their concerns had been ignored or have experienced victimisation.
Advisers suggested whistleblowers escalate their concerns with senior managers, the board or Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
Another campaigner, Peter Gregson, has lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament, calling for the helpline to be replaced with an independent "hotline".
Under his proposals, reports of negligence, malpractice and bullying would be referred directly to local NHS boards by the hotline provider.
The plan has won the support of a number of people in the medical profession.
Cathy James, chief executive of Public Concern at Work, said: "PCaW run a free legal advice service for any worker in the UK who has witnessed malpractice and is unsure what to do.
"The service commissioned by NHS Scotland is substantially different to the one suggested by the petitioner. We believe that an investigatory service aimed at whistleblowing cases across the NHS could make a real difference to the experience of those raising concerns in the health sector, but this is not the service we provide to NHS Scotland or in any event.
"Raising concerns in any sector can present real challenges and far too often those who speak truth to power suffer as a result."
She added: "Our service receives outstanding feedback from those who use it and it is incredibly valuable to have access to truly independent advice, but we cannot remove the risk of a negative response entirely - the real power here lies with the health boards and the regulators.
"As a society we must do more to celebrate and champion whsitleblowing rather than allow the suffering to continue. There is much work to do."
Health Secretary Shona Robison, said:  "All staff should have the confidence to speak up without fear and with the knowledge that any genuine concern will be treated seriously and investigated properly.
"The NHS confidential alert line provides a safe place where they can confidentially raise any concerns they may have about malpractice and wrongdoing in NHS Scotland.
"Increasingly, callers have raised their concern internally first, which may suggest staff feel more confident using internal procedures.
"The alert line sits alongside the wider package of measures we have developed over the past few years to support NHS staff.
"Work is also under way to establish the independent national whistleblowing officer who will provide external review on the handling of whistleblowing cases in NHS Scotland."


A 33-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering another man in North Lanarkshire.

Scott Mackenzie, 41, died after an incident at a house on Inverkip Drive, Shotts, on Sunday morning.
A second man, aged 20, was treated for injuries at Wishaw General Hospital before being released.
Kenneth Wheeler, from Shotts, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court charged with murder and attempted murder. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Mr Wheeler is also alleged to have had an offensive weapon in public and to have behaved in a threatening or abusive manner.
He is expected to appear in court again next week.


An investigation has begun after police discovered the body of a 73-year-old man in his Edinburgh flat.

Neighbours have been reported as saying he could have been lying there for two months.
A Police Scotland spokesman said officers were called to the flat in Northfield Avenue last Thursday after concerns were raised about the pensioner.
The force said there were no suspicious circumstances.


HSBC, Europe's biggest bank, is planning to cut 8,000 jobs in the UK as it tries to reduce costs.

The bank has 48,000 UK workers and will make cuts in both its retail and investment banking operations.
Chief executive Stuart Gulliver said the jobs would go by "natural attrition". Staff turnover stood at about 3,000 annually.
A total of 25,000 jobs could be axed globally, meaning close to 10% of HSBC's 266,000 workers will go.
The bank will also rebrand its UK High Street branches but is yet to decide on a new name.
Options could include reviving the Midland Bank brand, which it bought in 1992, or adopting the name of its UK online bank, First Direct.
Chief executive Stuart Gulliver said he wanted to ensure that customers made a distinction between HSBC's investment and retail banking operations.
The bank is being forced by new government rules to formally separate the two businesses.
Dominic Hook, national officer with the union Unite, called on HSBC to achieve any job cuts through voluntary means and natural attrition.
"It's really sad that all our members, all the hard work they've done to try to get the bank back working properly after all the scandals of the last few years, are going to be paying with their jobs," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The number of UK branches is expected to fall by about 100 from 1,057 now.
Analysis: Kamal Ahmed, business editor
Tomorrow is the date of the Mansion House speech - George Osborne's annual summary of financial regulation and the City.
The Chancellor could send a positive message to banks, saying that they are welcome in the UK and that regulation and the tax burden need to be "proportionate".
That could pave the way to a reform of the bank levy so that it has less of an impact on the foreign operations of UK banks. That could be announced in the Budget on 8 July.
The Chancellor could also decide not to raise the levy. Both would be welcomed by large global banks such as HSBC.
BBC business editor Kamal Ahmed said the UK job cuts would come as a shock to staff: "Global banking now is a far tougher business than it was pre-the financial crisis. It is hard to get profits."
Mr Gulliver was "running a bank that investors believe simply doesn't make enough money", he added.
Our correspondent said the bank was now looking to "reduce its footprint in developed economies".
HSBC plans to sell assets in Turkey and Brazil, where it will continue to service large corporate clients.
The news came ahead of a presentation that Mr Gulliver gave to investors and analysts in his second major strategy plan since taking up the role in 2011.
"We recognise that the world has changed and we need to change with it. That is why we are outlining the following... strategic actions that will further transform our organisation," he said in a statement.
The 10-point plan aims to cut costs by up to $5bn (Â£3.25bn) and increase investment in Asia - particularly in China.
"Asia [is] expected to show high growth and become the centre of global trade over the next decade," Mr Gulliver said. "Our actions will allow us to capture expected future growth opportunities."
Shares in HSBC were down 0.9% at 614p in afternoon trading in London, and closed down 0.5% in Hong Kong. The company is valued at almost Â£120bn.
James Antos, analyst at Mizuho Securities Asia, said the plan would not restore investor confidence in HSBC.
"Slaughtering the staff is not necessarily the solution unless management makes the bank considerably less complex," he said.
HSBC said it would make a decision on whether to move its headquarters out of the UK by the end of the year.
There has been speculation that the British bank may relocate its headquarters to Hong Kong since it announced the review in April.
Analysis: Robert Plummer, business reporter
HSBC used to style itself as "the world's local bank", combining the heft of a global brand with the sophistication of local knowledge. Yet it started moving away from that business model as far back as 2011, hit by a combination of spiralling costs and setbacks in some of those local markets to which it was a latecomer.
In fact, however much we hear about economic globalisation, global banks are having a tough time of it these days. Not only are they hard to manage, but they also face stiff competition from local banks in individual countries.
In Brazil, for instance, where HSBC was unknown until 1997, it has been outflanked by local operators Itau and Bradesco. Unsurprisingly, then, it has decided to dispose of its subsidiary there and concentrate on the area where its expertise has always been clear: East Asia in general, and China in particular.
Mr Gulliver laid out a number of criteria for the decision - including whether the UK government supported the growth of financial services industry.
He insisted that any move would not be a response to any UK legislation affecting banks, but about deciding "where the mind of the company should be".
The government bank levy cost HSBC more than Â£700m last year - more than any other bank.
Chancellor George Osborne is expected to signal a review of the levy in his Mansion House speech on Wednesday night.


Thirteen-time world champion Angel Nieto has died, one week after he was involved a quad-biking crash, MotoGP has confirmed.

The 70-year-old Spaniard won 13 titles and 90 grands prix in a 22-year career between 1964 and 1986.
MotoGP described Nieto "as a true giant of motorcycling history who will be greatly missed".
Nieto was taken to hospital after the quad bike he was riding collided with a car on 26 July.
MotoGP said he had remained in intensive care for a week after the accident, before his condition deteriorated.
Nieto was an expert on smaller machines, winning titles in both the 50cc and 125cc classes.


One of Northern Ireland's top tourist attractions is facing an uncertain future after a private company that was due to take it over pulled out.

The Exploris aquarium in Portaferry, County Down, has been open since 1987.
The private firm, Livingstone Leisure, had been in talks to take it over from Ards Council, but pulled out after failing to reach a deal on pensions.
Portaferry Regeneration Ltd said Stormont should assume responsibility for the attraction.
Councillors will discuss the future options, including possible closure, at a meeting on Wednesday evening.
Ards Borough Council will now have to decide whether to seek an alternative private buyer, continue to operate the aquarium itself, or close it.
Exploris is situated on the shores of Strangford Lough and currently employs 18 permanent staff.
It houses marine exhibitions and a seal sanctuary that helps to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned seal pups.
When it first opened, it was known as the Northern Ireland Aquarium, but throughout its 26-year history it has always been owned and operated by Ards Borough Council.
Since then, the council has invested more than Â£9m in the facility.
It has recently been seeking ways to reduce the costs to ratepayers of running the facility and sought investment from the private sector.
Livingstone Leisure submitted a successful bid to take over the aquarium and surrounding parkland on a 25-year lease.
It was hoped the arrangement would secure investment for the future development of Exploris and a due diligence process to finalise the deal began in November 2012.
However, the council statement on Wednesday said Livingstone Leisure is now "unable to put in place the broadly comparable pension scheme required for existing staff and as a result, the business has withdrawn from the process".
The statement added that "Exploris is open for business as usual" while the council considers the way forward.
Portaferry Regeneration Ltd said Exploris was a "national asset" that was "vital" to the economy of the Portaferry area.
"Any permanent closure would be a devastating blow to that economy and the regeneration of the area," it said.
"On its reported figures Exploris has in the past brought over 100,000 visitors into the area annually from across Northern Ireland.
"Such a loss of footfall must  impact adversely on the ferry itself,  Portaferry,  Strangford and the wider local economy.
"Since at least two Stormont ministers have recently visited Exploris and publicly recognized its significance as a 'national asset' surely the better solution is for the responsibility to be moved from Ards Borough Council's budget to the appropriate ministry within the Stormont budget."
The matter is due to be discussed at a meeting of the council's development committee later and any recommendations will go to a full meeting of the council next week.


World number 13 Nick Kyrgios could have his eight-week tournament ban cut to three after agreeing to a "care plan".

The Australian was banned and fined for behaviour, including "lack of best efforts", at the Shanghai Masters.
The ATP confirmed the 21-year-old had "taken up the care plan on offer" but details are "strictly confidential".
If he completes the plan, Kyrgios can play from 7 November rather than the initial ban expiration date of 15 January 2017.
Kyrgios came under scrutiny after his 6-3 6-1 defeat by Mischa Zverev of Germany, in which he returned serves tamely and received a code violation for verbally abusing a spectator.
Tennis Australia has said it is "our responsibility" to help Kyrgios.
Last year, he was fined $1,500 (£1,230) for a foul-mouthed outburst while playing in Shanghai, China.
That came two months after he was given a suspended 28-day ban for making a sexual comment about Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend during a match.
Earlier this year, his attitude was questioned after he lost convincingly to British world number two Andy Murray in the fourth round at Wimbledon.


Tunisia boosted their chances of reaching the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over neighbours Algeria.

They took the lead when Algeria's Aissa Mandi directed Youssef Msakni's left-wing cross into his own net.
And some dreadful defending by Faouzi Ghoulam led to him bringing down Wahbi Khazri for a penalty which Naim Sliti coolly slotted into the right corner.
Algeria pulled a goal back when Sofiane Hanni struck from the edge of the area.
Tunisia's victory takes them to three points and second place in Group B and leaves Algeria with only one point.
Group leaders Senegal can qualify later on Thursday by beating Zimbabwe.
It means Algeria, who had been one of the pre-tournament favourites, will have to rely on other results going their way if they are to qualify from the group - and they have to face Senegal in their final match.
Tunisia went into the game off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Senegal and anything other than victory against Algeria would have left them in serious trouble.
They were fortunate with their first goal, the ball looping off Mandi's foot to deceive Algerian goalkeeper Malik Asselah, who was playing in place of injured first-choice stopper Rais M'bolhi.
And they were gifted their second when Algeria defender Ghoulam sent an underpowered header back towards his goal and then fouled Khazri who had nipped ahead of him to collect the ball  and bear down on goal. Sliti confidently struck home the spot-kick.
Algeria started the match well and Islam Slimani's point-blank header brought an excellent save from Aymen Mathlouthi, while Riyad Mahrez should have done better with a shot from the edge of the area.
Much of Tunisia's best work involved Kazri - starting for the first time at the tournament - and the Sunderland midfielder tested Asselah early on with a free-kick.
Algeria struggled to rouse themselves after going behind and although substitute Hanni took his chance well, sending a curling shot into the corner, their largely toothless display has left them on the verge of an early exit.
Match ends, Algeria 1, Tunisia 2.
Second Half ends, Algeria 1, Tunisia 2.
Offside, Tunisia. Youssef Msakni tries a through ball, but Taha Yassine Khenissi is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. Mehdi Abeid (Algeria) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Mohamed Rabie Meftah.
Offside, Tunisia. Youssef Msakni tries a through ball, but Taha Yassine Khenissi is caught offside.
Substitution, Algeria. Mehdi Abeid replaces Adlène Guédioura.
Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Adlène Guédioura (Algeria).
Goal!  Algeria 1, Tunisia 2. Sofiane Hanni (Algeria) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adlène Guédioura.
Offside, Tunisia. Mohamed Amine Ben Amor tries a through ball, but Ali Maâloul is caught offside.
Foul by Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Tunisia).
Sofiane Hanni (Algeria) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Tunisia. Rami Jridi replaces Aymen Mathlouthi because of an injury.
Foul by Taha Yassine Khenissi (Tunisia).
Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Aymen Mathlouthi (Tunisia) because of an injury.
Corner,  Algeria. Conceded by Aymen Abdennour.
Mohamed Ali Yacoubi (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Islam Slimani (Algeria).
Attempt blocked. Syam Ben Youssef (Tunisia) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
Corner,  Tunisia. Conceded by Aissa Mandi.
Attempt blocked. Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Naim Sliti.
Substitution, Tunisia. Taha Yassine Khenissi replaces Ahmed Akaichi.
Foul by Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia).
Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt blocked. Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia) left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ali Maâloul with a cross.
Corner,  Tunisia. Conceded by Adlène Guédioura.
Attempt blocked. Ali Maâloul (Tunisia) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria).
Hand ball by Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia).
Substitution, Algeria. Sofiane Hanni replaces Yacine Brahimi.
Substitution, Tunisia. Mohamed Ali Yacoubi replaces Wahbi Khazri.
Corner,  Algeria. Conceded by Mohamed Amine Ben Amor.
Foul by Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Tunisia).
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Algeria. Baghdad Boundjah replaces Rachid Ghezzal.
Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Tunisia) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Rachid Ghezzal (Algeria).


A computer game allows gamers to perform heart surgery on Donald Trump and decide whether he has a heart of stone or gold.

The update to Surgeon Simulator by the British games designer Bossa Studios was released on to the online gaming platform Steam on Thursday.
Players win the game by successfully giving the Republican front runner a heart transplant, but they can also apply makeup, or add some Trump vodka, or Trump steak during the procedure.
Of the 23,195 'operations' carried out in the last 24 hours, only 5,460 have been successful. Unfortunately for Trump supporters, his avatar died the remaining 17,735 times.
Richard Earl from Bossa Studios said that game was designed to allow their fans to express their views on one of the most discussed politicians in the world.
"We have had 6,000 'votes' so far. 2,500 gold hearts vs. 3,500 stone hearts and over the past 24 hours it has remained a fairly constant 40/60 split," he said.
"Since our initial launch of Surgeon Simulator in 2013, this Donald Trump update has been our most popular so far."
On the company's Facebook page many fans asked if there would be further updates to include Democratic candidates or British politicians.
'It's been exciting to start with Trump," Earl said, "but we haven't yet made any decision on whether or not to include other politicians such as Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.'
It's not the first time that game designers have been inspired by the American Presidential campaigns. In February, a Swedish advertising agency called Animal released TrumpDonald.org where members of the public could blow Donald Trump's hair off with a trumpet. Four months later more than 124 million 'Trumps' have been blown.
The Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders featured a video arcade game on his re-election campaign website while running for the Senate in 2006. The 74-year-old flies a by-plane while trying to avoid obstacles such as 'The Extreme Right Wing' and 'Mud Slingers'. The game does not feature on his Presidential campaign site,  but is archived online.
Hillary Clinton, the front runner in the Democratic Presidential race, has not been turned into a video game so far. In 2005 she lead a legislative campaign to have violent video games banned.
Compiled by Hannah Henderson, BBC's UGC and Social News Team


Gary Neville's Valencia were booed by their own supporters after Antonio Sanabria's penalty eased Sporting Gijon's relegation worries.

Neville is still waiting for a first league win since taking charge of Valencia in December.
Former Barcelona B striker Sanabria, on loan from Roma, scored his fourth goal in two games after Danilo tripped Jony.
Alvaro Negredo missed three chances to equalise, heading one against the post, then chipping wide and blazing over.
Valencia, previously unbeaten at home in the league, then missed another great chance as Rodrigo Moreno and Sofiane Feghouli narrowly failed to connect with Zakaria Bakkali's left-wing cross.
At the other end, Australian goalkeeper Matty Ryan was fortunate not to concede a second penalty after barging into Carlos Carmona.
Valencia have not won any of the eight La Liga matches since former Manchester United and England defender Neville took charge and have gone a total of 11 league matches without a win, two short of equalling a club record.
Neville must attempt to lift his side in time for Wednesday's Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.


As Ofsted inspectors deliver a critical verdict of the education prisoners receive in England's jails, one ex-inmate describes how he finally learnt a vital lesson.

Expelled from school at 12, Frank Harris says it was the thought of how he would be remembered by his own children that helped him see education as a way to change his life.
The 53-year-old Londoner says he was in and out of prisons for more than 30 years before he found his "way out" through education and wants other people involved in crime to see it is not too late for them either.
"I wasn't getting any younger. I was thinking, 'What will my four kids do if I dropped down [dead]?'
"If they said I was in and out of prison - that I wasted my time on earth.  Now they can say I made mistakes, but I tried to do something different. That pushes me on.
"I'm still enjoying my education and still have something to give back."
Frank is in the second year of a degree in criminology and criminal justice. He counsels and mentors others who have been involved in crime and has worked with the police on tackling gang culture.
But in 2004 he was facing his longest prison stretch ever - four years for smuggling cocaine from Amsterdam - after what he says was a "lifetime of crime".
"I knew I'd be coming out, that I needed to do something, to make a change instead of hanging around with people," he said.
"I found I enjoyed learning. I had been interested before in lots of things but never had the kind of environment for it to be cool to learn."
In prison, he did basic skills lessons before getting A-grades in GCSE English and maths.
"People saying well done, that inspired me to say I enjoyed doing this education and it was positive. I saw I could change my life, learning and achieving things. I saw education as a way out and that it could be the key to set me free."
After leaving jail, Frank says he was very tempted to go back to his old way of life but instead decided to stay in touch with a charity that had supported him inside -   the Prisoners' Education Trust  - and the St Giles Trust.
"Normally, I was getting picked up by one of my friends [when I got out of jail], and before I got back to London, I would be stoned and wouldn't get home for two days.
"The crucial thing this time was there was link. This group had offices you can get in touch with when you get out."
Frank says he was on the verge of getting involved with crime again when, he says: "Something told me, 'Don't take the left path, take a right,' and instead, I went down to the offices."
He went on take a qualification in counselling to help homeless and vulnerable people and to work for the charity Turning Point.
He now counsels others, he says, "to try to stop them taking my path".
Like many people in Britain's jails, Frank did badly at school. He had no academic qualifications before studying in prison in his 40s.
Expelled at 12, he says he was "delinquent" for 18 months, before being sent to a reform "boarding school", where he says there was no proper teaching.
"The classroom was a work room and the teachers - who were really PE teachers - used to say, 'Finish that English off, then you can finish making your chair.'
"Boys would be banging about while others were doing written work."
Frank says things then went further downhill.
"I'd come home every two weeks - my family would not know me, I had no friends. I'd go around by myself and began breaking in to cars, doing rubbish stuff because I was lonely, bored."
Shortly after that, Frank says, he began to get custodial sentences for theft and fraud and "that was it for 30 years".
He says he was never involved with violent or sexual crimes, but witnessed violence.
"People were getting shot in a car next to me; people getting stabbed, but I never picked up a knife in anger. I was smoking crack but I always felt I was on the outside looking in; like I was not meant to be there.
"Now I know that reason was to say to young men and women, 'You don't have to go that way - it's such a waste.' I'm here to tell that story.
"If you find yourself on the that road, if you are in prison, there's a way out and it's education.
"Now I'm a proper father, a proper son, a proper grandfather. I'm stable and I have a family that's stable."


McCormick, the American food flavourings business, has said it may increase its $700m (£494m) bid for the UK's Premier Foods.

Premier, the maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Bisto gravy, this week revealed it had rejected two bids from McCormick.
McCormick said in a statement on Thursday that it was now "willing to consider increasing its latest offer".
Meanwhile Japanese noodle maker Nissin Foods has agreed to buy a 17.27% stake in Premier Foods.
Nissin, which Premier describes as a "long-term shareholder", is expected to take a seat on the Premier board.
McCormick, known for its Schwartz spices and Lawry's seasonings, first made a bid of 52p a share last month and then raised it to 60p a share on 14 March.
Premier rejected it "on the basis that it significantly undervalued the company and its prospects".
Now McCormick has said it may be prepared to increase its offer following "limited confirmatory due diligence", i.e. a review of Premier's pensions documentation, current trading and material contracts.
McCormick said "it would be an outstanding custodian for the Premier Foods brands and, can provide benefits for Premier Foods, its pensioners, creditors and other stakeholders, which Premier Foods' current capital structure cannot deliver."
Some shareholders are keen for Premier to seek a higher offer.
David Cumming, head of equities at Standard Life Investments, the fund arm of insurer Standard Life, which controls 7% of Premier, said: "Although we believe the 60p  bid indicated by McCormick is too low, we remain open to a bid at a higher level.
"We expect the Premier Foods Board, on behalf of its shareholders, to engage with McCormick and pursue this option to the full."
Premier shares have been on a roller coaster ride this week, soaring 50% on Wednesday following news of the McCormick bid, falling by more than 10% on Thursday on the announcement of the Nissin stake and then recouping nearly all their losses as McCormick said it might be prepared to pay more.
Premier used to be one of the UK's biggest food groups but came unstuck when it expanded too fast, loading itself with debt.
It has since sold off its Hovis bread business to the US-based Gores group, rebuilt its £20m production line at its Mr Kipling bakery in Barnsley and pushed through a £1.1bn refinancing package, which included a £353m rights issue.
It still owns a range of household UK brands such as Ambrosia rice pudding, Oxo stock cubes and Batchelors soups.
Premier is increasing its international operations following a recent co-operation deal with Nissin that allows Premier to distribute its products in the UK, while making its own products more widely available in key overseas markets.
Nissin invented the first instant noodles in 1958 and operates in 19 countries. Its products include Cup Noodles and Top Ramen.


Planning permission is being sought for a leisure scheme at a Gwynedd business park that has been empty for more than 10 years, Economy Secretary Ken Skates has said.

Developer Liberty Properties blamed Brexit for "very frustrating" delays.
It said it remained committed to building a "high-quality family leisure park" at Bangor's Parc Bryn Cegin.
Gwynedd council said it had received contact from a developer regarding the site.
Arfon MP Hywel Williams called for assurances progress was being made.
In 2005, the 90-acre Parc Bryn Cegin received £3.5m of European funding and investment from the former Welsh Development Agency (WDA) of £4.9m.
At the time, officials said the park would attract up to 1,600 jobs, £18m of additional investment and provide more than 70,000 sq metres of floor space for businesses.
The Welsh Government claimed the park would create a more "prosperous local economy", but it has been empty ever since.
In December 2015, Liberty Properties announced proposals to develop a cinema complex, restaurant and tourism hub on the site, with the creation of up to 400 jobs.
It said staff were now in detailed negotiations with a national cinema operator.
Liberty development director Emyr Williams said: "We recognise that there has been delay in delivering this scheme.
"However, occupiers were reluctant to invest in capital projects during the Brexit referendum campaign and, unfortunately, there was a delay after the result as businesses reviewed their expansion programme and capital projects, following the result.
"This has been outside our control and very frustrating.
"Please be assured we are doing everything we can to bring this significant inward investment forward."
Mr Williams and Sian Gwenllian AM said more needed to be done to attract investment to the 67 acres (27 hectares) that would remain following the leisure development.
Mr Williams said: "It's almost a year since we read with enthusiasm that a leisure developer was interested in transforming part of the empty Parc Bryn Cegin business park into a cinema and restaurant complex after a hard fought local campaign to bring much-needed investment to the site.
"With no firm proposals submitted and ambiguous answers from the Welsh Government, local people want assurances that progress is being made."
Mr Skates said: "We have entered into agreement with Liberty Properties over the delivery of a leisure scheme at Bryn Cegin and they are currently in the process of seeking planning permission and negotiating with potential tenants."
Mr Skates said he expected the development to act as a "catalyst for other projects", and the serviced and developed units were "ideally placed" to capitalise on demand created by the construction of Anglesey's planned Wylfa Newydd nuclear power station.
A new agent for the business park should be in place by January, he added.
A Gwynedd council spokesman said contact had been made by a developer regarding Bryn Cegin, but no planning application had been submitted.
He added: "Due to the likely scale of a proposed development at Bryn Cegin, it is expected that any planning application will follow a submission for formal pre-application advice in accordance with new statutory planning requirements."


Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson is travelling to speak to MK Dons on Tuesday afternoon about their vacant managerial position.

Neilson, 36, led Hearts' training on Tuesday morning but will meet officials from the League One club later.
He is still expected to take Hearts for Wednesday's match against Rangers.
The Tynecastle club are currently fourth in the Scottish Premiership - two points off Rangers - while MK Dons are 19th in League One.
A Dons statement on Monday read: "The club respects that Hearts has an important fixture with Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday evening.
"And, therefore, no further comment will be made until after that match."
Simultaneous statements from the clubs came hours after Neilson had held a pre-match media conference in which he stressed his desire to lead Hearts to a win that would lift them above Rangers into second place.
Hearts owner Ann Budge revealed to BBC Scotland on Saturday that Neilson had met the Edinburgh club's board last week.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's 3-0 win over Motherwell, she said the head coach had their full backing despite a run of four games without a victory but that she would be disappointed to finish outside the top three.
In light of MK Dons' interest, Hearts said: "Robbie is aware of the approach, but he remains fully focused on the immediate task at hand, which is, of course, Rangers at home on Wednesday.
"No further comment or statement will be made by the club until after this match."
Former England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard last week held talks with the Dons following the departure of Karl Robinson.
However, the 36-year-old said the vacancy came "a bit too soon" for him after his exit from LA Galaxy.
The Dons lost 2-1 win away to Coventry City under caretaker manager Richie Barker.
Neilson, a former right-back who won one Scotland cap, had a two-year spell in England with Leicester City after spending the first 10 years of his career at Tynecastle.
He also had time on loan to Brentford then returned to Scotland with Dundee United and Falkirk before ending his playing career as player-coach with East Fife.
Neilson returned to Hearts in 2013 as under-20s development manager and was promoted to head coach after Budge bought the club the following May and installed Craig Levein as director of football.
He led his side to the Scottish Championship title and promotion in his first season in charge, resulting in him being nominated for PFA Scotland manager of the year.
In their first season back in the top flight, Neilson's Hearts side finished third in the Premiership and presently sit fourth.
Robinson, who had been in charge for more than six years, left the Dons in October following a poor start to the season and they are presently two points above the relegation zone.


England's defeat by Pakistan in the first one-day international cannot be blamed on a lack of warm-up games, says assistant coach Paul Farbrace.

Mohammad Hafeez's unbeaten century helped Pakistan successfully chase England's 216 to record a six-wicket win in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.
England played one warm-up game against Hong Kong before the four-match series.
"We're not making excuses about schedules, it's down to the fact we did not play well enough," said Farbrace.
"It was the same before the Test series (which England lost 2-0). Everyone said two two-day games wasn't enough but we proved during that first Test we were ready to play.
"We didn't take opportunities in that match, we had opportunities to win the first one-day game and we didn't take them."
On Wednesday, director of cricket Andrew Strauss said England needed "more separation" between the Test and one-day sides.
Prior to the one-day series, opening bowler David Willey said he was worried about those not involved in the Tests being "undercooked" while captain Eoin Morgan admitted after Wednesday's defeat that his team have been "slow starters" in recent series.
Willey formed an inexperienced opening pair with fellow left-arm bowler Reece Topley in Abu Dhabi after Mark Wood and Steven Finn were ruled out of the series through injury, Ben Stokes was rested and Test opening bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad were not included.
Topley impressed by taking 3-26 but the rest of England's attack, including Chris Woakes and spin duo Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, struggled to test Pakistan's batsmen.
Farbrace said his side were still taking shape after a disastrous World Cup campaign earlier this year and added there will still be opportunities for those not selected for the current series to establish themselves as regulars.
"We have got Stokes, Broad, Wood and Finn who can come into this side and will add to our bowling attack," he said.
"So it's up to the guys here to show they have the ability and that they've also got the nous, the intelligence to learn quickly and deserve to stay in the side when we get closer to the Champions Trophy in 2017 and the World Cup in 2019.
"But we're not saying we're happy to lose series - nobody took any pleasure from losing on Wednesday. There were strong but honest words spoken afterwards as there will be whether we win or lose."
The second ODI is on Friday in Abu Dhabi with Sharjah and Dubai hosting the final two matches the following Tuesday and Friday.