To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made towards developing (a) an information pack to be issued regarding screening programmes and (b) a public relations strategy to boost participation of women aged 25 to 35 years in cervical cancer screening; and when he expects these policies to be implemented. (224882)

As set out in the Cancer Reform Strategy, the National Health Service Cancer Screening Programme is commissioning an Improvement Foundation project to look at addressing the falling participation of younger women in the NHS cervical screening programme. The evidence and outcomes from the Improvement Foundation’s local work will inform the development of the NHS Cancer Screening Programme’s information materials and public relations strategy in this matter. The Improvement Foundation are expected to deliver the outcomes from their work to the NHS Cancer Screening Programme by the end of 2009.

The NHS Cancer Screening Programmes have already produced posters specifically targeting women in the age range of 25-35.