To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) role and (b) remit is of the Going further on cancer waits—National Breast Working Group; when the Group was established; how many times the Group has met; what reports the Group has made to Ministers; and what progress the Group has made towards realising the commitment made in the 2005 Labour Party General Election campaign that all people with breast problems would be seen within two weeks by 2008. (117352)

The going further on cancer waits breast working group was established to consider the commitment set out in the Government’s 2005 election manifesto to go further on cancer waiting times, in particular to consider how all patients with breast problems might be seen within two weeks of general practitioner referral to a specialist.

The first meeting of the group was on 10 May 2006 and there have been two further meetings. The group reports to the National Cancer Director, and has made no reports to Ministers to date.

Proposals for going further on cancer waits, including recommendations from the breast working group about seeing all patients with breast symptoms within two weeks, will now be taken forward as part of the cancer reform strategy being developed by the National Cancer Director, as announced on 30 November 2006.