§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will ensure that more resources are allocated for mobile units for the screening of breast and cervical cancer; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe bulk of cervical screening is performed in general practitioner surgeries or community and family planning clinics. Special facilities are therefore not necessary.
Between 1987 and 1990, the Government provided £70 million in the United Kingdom (£55 million in England) to set up and run the breast screening programme including 473W the purchase of equipment. Current funding to meet the costs of the breast screening programme is built into health authority allocations and they should implement their breast screening programmes within the overall money allocated to them. It is for health authorities to determine whether additional resources should be made available for screening services in the light of local needs and priorities.