§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the relative effectiveness of the United Kingdom cervical cytology screening programme compared with those of other industrialised countries; and if he will make a statement on similar trends in cervical cancer.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOur expert independent advisory committee on gynaecological cytology has considered evidence from other countries and concluded that the most cost-effective method of reducing mortality from cervical cancer was a programme based on five-yearly screening of all sexually active women. We have accepted its advice. The committee makes a regular review of cervical cytology trends.