To ask the Secretary of State for Health what extra funding he plans to make available to primary care trusts to allow them to extend breast cancer screening to women between the ages of 47 and 73 years. (163282)

In September, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced proposals for cancer services including extending the breast cancer screening age range to women aged between 47 and 73.

We aim to publish the Cancer Reform Strategy, which will set out the future direction of cancer services in England, by the end of the year. Details on the implementation of the proposals already announced will be issued in due course.

Funding for the extension of the breast screening programme has been included in the comprehensive spending review settlement, and will be allocated to and managed by NHS Cancer Screening Programmes on behalf of primary care trusts.