Mr. John Connaghan:

I have asked and I have with me the protocol, although it is just in electronic form at this stage. I have had a look at the protocol. It refers to the provision of slides from the laboratory that currently holds them to a third party laboratory. Having looked at the protocol, I can say that it is as much set up for the protection of the patient because it deals with the request from the patients, the identification of the patients and a safety issue, which is taking a high-resolution digital image of a slide before it is then sent out. I am quite happy to give the Deputy a copy of the protocol. As regards the patients waiting for those slides, I am advised that we have had 120 requests, 50 of which have been fulfilled within the relative timescale. I checked today on the remaining number, which is 70. I think the Deputy referred to something like 80 or 90. From my records, I believe the figure is 70. I am advised that they will also be fulfilled within the appropriate timescale. I am happy to give the Deputy a copy of the protocol if she wants to look at it.