Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2015 to Question 223768, on which dates since 24 November 2014 he has discussed with NHS England its revised approach to promoting and taking account of research in the new healthcare system; and what the content of those discussions was.

Since 24 November 2014, there have been no discussions between my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health and NHS England on its revised approach to promoting and taking account of research in the new healthcare system. However, discussions between senior officials in the Department and NHS England are ongoing.

NHS England will be setting out high level plans through their Business Plan, which is due to be published on 27 March 2015. NHS England does not routinely consult on business plans and, as such, no formal consultation has been planned.