§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the need for each departmental agency. [124698]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department conducts reviews of its executive agencies in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance, amended following the 2002 Agency Policy review. It has merged the Medical Devices Agency and Medicines Control Agency to form the Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. There are no current plans to change the role of the three remaining agencies but they will be reviewed as the Department's strategic needs are reassessed.