Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the remit is of NHS England's Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group; what plans NHS England has for the future of that Group; and if he will make a statement.

NHS England’s Specialised Commissioning Oversight Group has a remit to:

- provide assurance to NHS England that specialised commissioning strategic priorities are being met through operational delivery;

- drive the continuous improvement of standards and outcomes;

- reduce reduction of variation and inequalities for specialised commissioning; and

- provide assurance that there are robust systems and processes in place for the monitoring and assurance of Specialised Commissioning.

NHS England has advised that the current plans are to continue the group as established.