§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the estimated annual cost of the breast screening programme.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Government allocated £55 million for England—£70 million for the United Kingdom—between 1987–88 and 1990–91 to establish the breast screening programme and to contribute towards ongoing costs. In 1990–91 running costs for the breast screening programme amounted to £24 million in England. In 1991–92 the running costs are estimated to be £24.5 million in England.