§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Health what is the average delay in the cervical cytology screening service for Leicestershire between the taking of a smear and the reading of the slide; whether he is satisfied with this; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonSix and a half weeks. Some delay has been caused recently by staff resignations at the pathology laboratory at Leicester Royal Infirmary, but new staff have now been appointed. The delay is being progressively reduced and should soon be minimal, thus enabling the service in Leicestershire to expand further.