Labour MP Jamie Reed (Copeland) began prime minister's questions today with praise the abolition of prescription charges for cancer patients. Skip related content
He asked what was being done to end the "postcode lottery" they face.
Prime minister Gordon Brown said that the current two week maximum wait before seeing a consultant would be accompanied by a one week wait for diagnostic tests.
Click here to read about the exchanges between the prime minister and the opposition leaders.
David Blunkett (Lab, Sheffield Brightside) said that David Cameron's "cast iron guarantee" of a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty "has turned out to be made of plywood".
The prime minister said the government would work "in concert with the other 26 countries of the European Union". And he told MPs that the Conservative leader's pledge of a referendum on the Lisbon treaty had been "broken".
David Winnick (Lab, Walsall North) said the country is "entitled to know" how long UK forces would have to be in Afghanistan and if the war there can be won.
Brown insisted that training Afghan security forces would mean a gradual reduction in the commitments of UK troops.
Tom Brake (Lib Dem, Carshalton & Wallington) said the government had "slashed" money to pay for London's Freedom Pass travel concession.
The prime minister insisted that "no government had done more" to support public transport.
Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton South East) asked why the blockade on Gaza has continued for so long.
Brown said he had spoken to the Israeli prime minister and had said that supplies must be able to enter Gaza. He said "that is the will of the international community, it is what we are urging Israel to do".
Andrew Turner (Con, Isle of Wight) highlighted the problem of guarding prisoners when they are being given medical care in hospitals.
The prime minister said the government was investing more in the NHS and if there are problems with prisoners then "we will deal with them".
Ronnie Campbell (Lab, Blyth Valley) asked the prime minister to continue with government commitments on tax credits.
Brown told MPs the government would deliver on its promises "unlike some other people".
Sir Alan Beith (Lib Dem, Berwick-upon-Tweed) said Home Office guidance was being used to justify cutting pensions for injured police officers.
The prime minister said "I shall look at what he says".
Phyllis Starkey (Lab, Milton Keynes South West) said the Youth Parliament, sitting in the Commons last week, had backed votes at 16. She called for the government to support it.
The prime minister said the Youth Parliament meeting was "a tremendous innovation". He said the issue should be consulted upon widely.
Bob Russell (Lib Dem, Colchester) said a local council was shutting secondary schools and called for an investigation.
Brown said Conservative councils show what a Conservative government would be like.
Anne Begg (Lab, Aberdeen South) said the government had made "great strides" in keeping disabled people in work. She said a factory in her constituency could close, affecting over 30 disabled people.
The prime minister said the SNP/Lib Dem council was cutting grants. He said it was "clearly important" in a recession to help those most in need of support.
David T. C. Davies (Con, Monmouth) called for the Ministry of Defence to publish regular figures on troop injuries in Afghanistan.
The prime minister said the government gives "as much information as possible".
Liz Blackman (Lab, Erewash) praised the car scrappage scheme for helping local firms.
Brown said it was "a great success" along with extra help for small businesses.
Angus Robertson (SNP, Moray) highlighted delays in paying compensation to victims of a lost RAF Nimrod. He said the families of those who died deserve better.
The prime minister said he would "look exactly at the point he has raised".
Stephen Pound (Lab, Ealing North) asked for members of the armed forces to have reserved seats to watch PMQs from the Commons gallery.
Brown said it was an "interesting proposal" and added that it "seems to be something we can support" after consultation.
Willie Rennie (Lib Dem, Dunfermline and West Fife) said Rosyth was becoming a "nuclear graveyard" despite government promises.
The prime minister said no decisions had yet been taken on the future of a number of nuclear submarines. And he said government decisions are supporting jobs at the dockyard.
Karen Buck (Lab, Regent's Park & Kensington North) praised investment in childcare, and said some councils are closing nursery schools.
Brown said the government had increased services and would invest in Sure Start.
Paul Rowen (Lib Dem, Rochdale) questioned why there are continuing delays in announcing plans to change the law on compensation for pleural plaques victims.
Brown said there would be talks with MPs, followed by a statement.
Paul Flynn (Lab, Newport West) asked if the prime minister had full confidence in the commitment of members of the Afghan security services.
The prime minister said the members of the Afghan forces want to ensure a safe and secure country.
Ian Taylor (Con, Esher and Walton) asked the prime minister to engage in rational debate rather than "shooting the messenger" when scientific evidence is not convenient.
The prime minister told MPs that scientific advice is "valued by the government".
He said the issue over the sacking of Professor Nutt had been that once ministers have decide on a policy after taking advice then "it does not make sense to send out mixed messages to the community about drugs".
