§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what plans he has to introduce a screening system to identify bowel cancer before it spreads beyond the bowel wall.
§ Mr. RichardsNone. The Government's screening policy seeks to ensure that a national screening programme is introduced only if research has shown it to be effective and affordable. The benefits provided by screening must also outweigh any disadvantages. These criteria are not met in respect of screening the whole population for bowel cancer.