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Health Inequalities

I want to make a very quick contribution to the debate. [Interruption.] Before the hon. Member for Stockton, South (Ms Taylor) makes her point, I will make mine, which is that I was in the other Chamber, where I wanted to contribute to the debate on the economy. As we all know, hon. Members must sit through both opening speeches to do that, and it is not my fault or anyone else’s that both debates are happening at the same time. I congratulate the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Turner) on obtaining this timely debate, which I wish I had been able to attend throughout, but alas could not. I want to ask the Minister a question, after making one observation. We are currently in prostate cancer awareness month, as I am sure that the Minister knows. Health inequalities suffered by those with prostate cancer were highlighted in the 2005 National Audit Office report, which stated that prostate cancer patients""reported a generally poorer experience of care than patients with other common cancers."" John Neate, the chief executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity has said that prostate cancer has""suffered from a historical legacy of neglect."" My one question, so that the hon. Member for Stockton, South has plenty of time to speak, is this: does the Minister agree that that is unacceptable and that urgent action is needed to ensure that PCTs are given adequate funding to deal with the situation?