To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates (a) he and (b) the Prime Minister were first informed of the commissioning by his Department of the study by McKinsey and Company into NHS costs, staffing and services; and when he plans to publish (i) the terms of reference of the study and (ii) its (A) interim and (B) final reports. (291490)

The information McKinsey provided on national health service productivity was commissioned by officials in February. Neither my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for Health or his predecessor were informed of the commission or sighted on the advice. Ministers were informed following initial media inquiries in September. Ministers rejected the main proposal in the report. The information had been commissioned for internal NHS management consideration and is not intended for publication.