§ Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Minister of Health if he will permit local health authorities to undertake pathological work in connection with cervical cancer; and if he will send a circular to local authorities, indicating his willingness to give formal approval to councils providing a cervical screening service as part of their preventive health measures under the National Health Service Act 1964.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonI am advised that pathological work in connection with cervical cancer is best undertaken in hospital laboratories under consultant supervision. I have already approved many proposals for the provision of a screening service for cervical cancer by local health authorities and am considering the issue of a circular on the subject.