To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent (a) in total, (b) in civil servant time and (c) on private consultants in relation to the consultation on NHS provision of stoma and incontinence appliances since its inception in October 2005. (178701)

The review of the arrangements under Part IX of the drug tariff for the provision of stoma and incontinence appliances and related services in primary care is addressing £487 million per annum of national health service expenditure.

Costs for civil servants' time is not available and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

To date, £2.2 million has been spent on the Part IX review with contractors. This covers both Phase 1—a review of arrangements relating to dressings and chemical reagents which delivered £24 million per annum in savings to primary care—and Phase 2—stoma and incontinence—which is ongoing.