§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received in respect of a new, semi-automated test, known as the HDA test, for screening for cervical cancer; what his response has been; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have had numerous representations from and on behalf of the charity "Quest for a Test for Cancer", which is developing this test. We have made it clear that the charity must obtain an independent evaluation of its research before we could consider the test's potential for mass screening in the National Health Service. We have advised the charity on ways in which it might secure such an evaluation.