§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans his Department has to promote the early screening programme for cervical cancer. [56410]
Mr. Jon Owen JonesThe Department is currently working with Velindre NHS Trust in Cardiff to develop the National Service Framework for Cervical Screening Services in Wales, highlighted in the White Paper—NHS Wales: Putting Patients First, published in January 1998. The framework will begin to be implemented for the whole of Wales by 1 April 1999. The current take-up rate for cervical smears is 84 per cent. of women aged 20–64.