To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Answers by Lord Darzi of Denham on 28 February 2008 (WA 135), 3 July 2008 (WA 49) and 20 May (WA 332–3), how they have responded to online petitions by Janine Macallister and Richard Mackenzie regarding geographical variations in provision of fertility treatment for NHS patients; and how they have quantified progress in implementing the February 2004 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines in relation to figures cited in 2008 regarding treatment provision by primary care trusts. [HL3966]

The Government have not responded specifically to these online petitions, but we are aware that primary care trusts are making progress in moving towards full implementation of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence fertility guidelines.

The provision of in vitro fertilisation treatment on the National Health Service has been monitored by a series of surveys. The most recent survey, undertaken by the department earlier this year, is currently being analysed.