Written question asked by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 30 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 13th March 2001 at 364 c583W, on surgical treatments, when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to discuss procedures for offering breast reduction surgery following clinical recommendations and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care; and if he will make a statement. - (Holding answer 1 May 2001).

Answer: Mr. Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2001, Official Report, column 583W, on surgical treatments, when he expects the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to discuss procedures for offering breast reduction surgery following clinical recommendations and reduce the postcode lottery in this area of health care; and if he will make a statement. [160163] Yvette Cooper: [holding answer 1 May 2001]: Breast reduction surgery was assessed against the criteria for proposing topics to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and it was decided that it should not be referred at this time.

Secondary information