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Business of the House

Will my right hon. Friend grant time for a debate on the postcode lottery and loss of patient choice for those requesting stem cell salvage from umbilical cord blood samples? My constituent, Claudia Harrison, has multiple sclerosis. She wants a simple blood test taken from the umbilical cord when her baby is born in June. My local hospital has refused that request, yet the hospital 17 miles down the road will do the blood test, but only if she transfers her ante-natal care to it. It is unfair that parents are faced with the choice of either travelling extensive distances for a test that will cost nothing to the local hospital—my constituent will pay for the stem cell banking—or doing without it. It is unfair and not right that parents should face such choices, and the House should debate the subject.