§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will make a statement on his policy in respect of the application of the HPV test in cervical cancer screening. [101970]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 9 December 1999]: An outline proposal on pilot studies using human papilloma virus testing as triage for mild and borderline smears, as recommended in the report of the National 308W Health Service Health Technology Assessment published on 30 September 1999, was discussed at the National Screening Committee's meeting in Belfast on 8 December 1999. The National Screening Committee will advise Ministers in light of these discussions. A statement will be made once we have had time to assess this advice.