To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of (a) the cost of action in respect of medical negligence in Wales, (b) the impact of delay in dealing with such claims on patients and families in Wales and (c) steps that could be taken to deal more simply and more effectively with such claims in Wales.

As regards the costs arising from medical negligence litigation, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the replies that I gave him on 17 June and the letter that I subsequently sent him on 16 July.Information on the impact of possible delays in litigation on plaintiffs is not available centrally.