§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will commission a study of cancer incidence in North Essex. [183975]
§ Dr. LadymanWe have no current plans to commission a study of cancer incidence in North Essex. Indeed, in line with the "NHS Plan" and the "Shifting the Balance of Power" initiative to devolve funding decisions to the front line, it is now for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health tackling health inequalities and modernising services, based on the specialised knowledge they have of the local community.