§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what standards the new National Health Service Executive offices will be applying in monitoring the purchasing and provision of cancer and palliative care.
§ Mr. SackvilleLast year, the chief medical officers of England and Wales established an expert advisory group on cancer to consider the provision of cancer services. Its consultative report "A Policy Framework for Commissioning Cancer Services" is available in the Library. The National Health Service Executive's priorities and planning guidance requires health authorities to ensure the best quality of care for cancer patients when commissioning health services with reference to this report. Guidelines are to be developed in consultation with professional bodies to help with the contracting process.