§ 1. Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the mortality incidence of breast cancer in Wales relative to the rest of the United Kingdom. [14156]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Rod Richards)Mortality from breast cancer in Wales is higher than in other parts of the United Kingdom, which may be partly a reflection of the higher incidence of the disease in Wales. Overall mortality from breast cancer in Wales fell by nearly 10 per cent. between 1988 and 1994, a rate of decline slightly greater than the UK average.
§ Mrs. ClwydWhy are lower targets being set in Wales than in England for a reduction in the incidence of mortality? Why are Welsh women expected to take second best? Before the Minister answers, since Scott has demonstrated that the Conservative party is in the 2 business of giving misleading and inaccurate answers, can he tell us whether he is telling the whole truth, part of the truth or his version of the truth?
§ Mr. RichardsThe hon. Lady has not lost her talent for being offensive. In Wales, the target is to reduce the breast cancer death rate in the screened age group—the group aged 50 to 64—by at least 25 per cent. by 2000. Ladies in Wales are not regarded as second best to ladies in England.