To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 25 June 2008, Official Report, columns 368-69W, on nutrition, for what reasons the final report of the National Action Plan Delivery Board was not published by the end of 2008; when he expects that report to be published; and what assessment he has made of the effects of the difference in such dates upon patient care. (295649)

The Nutrition Action Plan Delivery Board is independent of Government. The Department therefore had no input into the writing of the board's report. The report took longer to produce than envisaged and was finally submitted to the Department in July 2009. It is now being considered by ministers. We expect the report will be published later this year.

The delay in publishing the report has no impact on patient care. The report outlines the progress made in implementing the actions identified in the nutrition action plan.