§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the competence of the cervical smear tests carried out in the Paisley catchment area in the last 20 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartThe assessment of the competency of cervical smear tests is a matter for the clinicians responsible for such tests and for health boards. All laboratories participate in the national proficiency testing scheme.
The inquiry into the review of the smear test slides at Inverclyde royal hospital laboratory will be examining quality assessment arrangements.