Debate on cervical cancer screening tests and the case of Sophie Jones
2 May 2014
On Thursday 1 May, MPs took part in a debate on a motion relating to cervical cancer screening tests and the case of Sophie Jones. This debate was scheduled by the Backbench Business Committee following representations from Mr Steve Rotheram.
Watch the debate and read the transcript
The debate was opened by Mr Steve Rotheram.
- Watch Parliament TV: Debate on cervical cancer screening tests and the case of Sophie Jones
- Read Commons Hansard: Debate on cervical cancer screening tests and the case of Sophie Jones
Text of the Motion for debate
Motion, in the name of Mr Steve Rotheram and Alison McGovern:
"That this House notes the e-petition relating to the tragic death of Sophie Jones from cervical cancer; believes that the Government should urgently issue guidance stipulating that all women should have the choice of taking a smear test regardless of their age and in consultation with their doctor; and further notes that the best way to combat cervical cancer is by increasing awareness of its symptoms so as to ensure that early diagnosis rates are driven up, doctors and nurses understand that although it is very rare, younger women can develop cervical cancer, and high levels of coverage among young girls of the HPV vaccination programme introduced in 2008 are achieved."
Relevant documents
How the subject was selected
The subject for this debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee following representation from Mr Steve Rotheram at the public meeting on Tuesday8 April 2014.
- Parliament TV: Backbench Business Committee on 8 April 2014
- Transcript of oral evidence heard on 8 April 2014
Backbench Business Committee
The Backbench Business Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 3pm to consider requests for debates from any backbench Members of Parliament on any subject, including those raised in e-petitions or national campaigns.
An MP must make a representation before the Committee for an e-petition or petition to be debated; e-petitions exceeding the Government's 100,000 signature threshold are not automatically allocated backbench time.
The Committee then has to decide how to allocate the limited Parliamentary time it has at its disposal. The Committee's meetings are always conducted in public and can be watched on Parliament TV.