To ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the (a) number and (b) proportion of remedial procedures for dealing with suspected pre-cancerous cervical conditions that reduce the likelihood of future pregnancies in the patients treated. [39160]

[holding answer 20 April 1998]: There is little evidence to suggest that any form of current treatment for suspected pre-cancerous cervical conditions identified by cervical screening, including destruction of cervical lesions by laser treatment and large loop excision of the cervical transformation zone, shows a significant adverse effect on fertility or on a woman's risk of having a miscarriage.