That this House welcomes the investigations by the Rarer Cancers Forum into the processes used by the NHS to determine exceptional funding requests for treatment; congratulates the Rarer Cancers Forum on the reports resulting from its investigations, Taking Exception and Exceptional England?; expresses concern at the large variation in assessing applications for exceptional funding between different NHS organisations identified in the reports; expresses further concern that a patient is less likely to make an exceptional funding request if they live in a deprived area; notes the finding in Exceptional England? that the average cost to a cancer patient of paying privately for a top-up treatment is in excess of ??20,000; and calls on the Government to investigate the viability of implementing each of the recommendations in the reports so that all patients with cancer are provided with clinically-effective cancer treatments on the NHS if they have been recommended by their doctor.

That this House welcomes the investigations by the Rarer Cancers Forum into the processes used by the NHS to determine exceptional funding requests for treatment; congratulates the Rarer Cancers Forum on the reports resulting from its investigations, Taking Exception and Exceptional England?; expresses concern at the large variation in assessing...

That this House praises Robert and William Kett who were both executed on 7th December 1549 for being leaders of the Norfolk Rebellion under the reign of King Edward VI; recognises these courageous leaders for their contribution to the long struggle of the common people of England to escape from a servile life into the freedom of just conditions; and calls on the Government to recognise that both men were not traitors as charged.

That this House praises Robert and William Kett who were both executed on 7th December 1549 for being leaders of the Norfolk Rebellion under the reign of King Edward VI; recognises these courageous leaders for their contribution to the long struggle of the common people of England to escape from...

That this House is concerned about the terrible impact of seasonal influenza each year on the health of the UK population; recognises the huge burden of influenza on NHS resources; notes that between 3,000 and 4,000 people die each year from influenza-related illnesses; congratulates the Department of Health on the success of its seasonal influenza vaccination campaign, particularly for those people aged 65 years and over, where vaccination coverage rates have reached over 73 per cent.; supports the Department in its decision to focus this year's campaign on those at risk under 65 years old; and calls for the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to review the case for reducing the age for influenza vaccination to 50 years and above, and to introduce influenza vaccinations for all children between six months and two years of age to increase the overall uptake rates and to meet the World Health Organisation's target for population coverage.

That this House is concerned about the terrible impact of seasonal influenza each year on the health of the UK population; recognises the huge burden of influenza on NHS resources; notes that between 3,000 and 4,000 people die each year from influenza-related illnesses; congratulates the Department of Health on the...

That this House recognises the contribution British forces have made to the stability of the region and the recent request by the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from his country; and calls on the Prime Minister to announce in the Statement he has promised before the Summer Recess a timetable for the complete withdrawal of British forces from Iraq.

That this House recognises the contribution British forces have made to the stability of the region and the recent request by the Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri al-Maliki for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign forces from his country; and calls on the Prime Minister to announce in the...

That this House welcomes the Dragging Their Feet report, produced by Target PAD, an expert group of clinicians with an interest in tackling peripheral arterial disease (PAD); notes with concern the serious health, social and economic costs to the 720,000 individuals diagnosed with PAD in the UK, caused by sub-optimal treatment of the disease; further notes the wider costs to these patients' families, and to UK plc; and calls on the Government and health professionals to take action to improve the management of peripheral arterial disease, particularly through supporting the inclusion of measures to manage PAD in primary care through the quality and outcomes framework of the General Medical Services contract and the Government's cardiovascular risk management programme.

That this House welcomes the Dragging Their Feet report, produced by Target PAD, an expert group of clinicians with an interest in tackling peripheral arterial disease (PAD); notes with concern the serious health, social and economic costs to the 720,000 individuals diagnosed with PAD in the UK, caused by sub-optimal...

That this House welcomes the proposed patient right in the draft NHS Constitution to expect local decisions on funding of drugs and treatments which have not been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to be made rationally and for decisions to be transparent; is pleased to see the Government's commitment to requiring primary care trusts (PCTs) to put in place clear and transparent arrangements for making local decisions including for exceptional funding requests; welcomes the requirement for PCTs to publish how these processes work and hopes that this will mean PCTs will publish such information on their websites; further welcomes the announcement that the Government will work with PCTs to develop a set of principles to inform PCTs in such decision-making and hopes that these principles will include guidance on how exceptional funding requests should be heard, who should sit on decision-making panels and what patients should be able to expect from the process; hopes that provision will be made to provide support and guidance to patients throughout the process; further welcomes the announcement of investment in guidance and support for PCTs to put these principles in action; requests that the Government considers centrally collecting data on the number and outcome of exceptional funding requests; and calls on the Government to implement these proposals as soon as possible.

That this House welcomes the proposed patient right in the draft NHS Constitution to expect local decisions on funding of drugs and treatments which have not been approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to be made rationally and for decisions to be transparent; is pleased to...

That this House recognises the key role played by the third sector in providing valuable specialised care services; praises the work of organisations such as Sue Ryder Care, which develop innovative solutions to providing these services and meeting the needs of local communities; and calls upon the Government to support Sue Ryder Care and other specialist voluntary providers by ensuring that they are paid the true cost for the basic services they provide on behalf of the state, so that their voluntary funds can be used to help them innovate further.

That this House recognises the key role played by the third sector in providing valuable specialised care services; praises the work of organisations such as Sue Ryder Care, which develop innovative solutions to providing these services and meeting the needs of local communities; and calls upon the Government to support...

That this House supports Bone Cancer Awareness Week from 21st to 28th June 2008, co-ordinated by the Bone Cancer Research Trust which promote research into the causes and treatment of primary bone cancer; notes that primary bone cancers take longer to diagnose than any other type of cancer in young people; recognises the vital and urgent importance of raising the level of awareness of the symptoms of primary bone cancer amongst medical professionals, in particular GPs, and the general public; and congratulates the Bone Cancer Research Trust which is working to raise awareness of primary bone cancer which affects over 400 children and young people every year in the UK.

That this House supports Bone Cancer Awareness Week from 21st to 28th June 2008, co-ordinated by the Bone Cancer Research Trust which promote research into the causes and treatment of primary bone cancer; notes that primary bone cancers take longer to diagnose than any other type of cancer in young...

That this House is concerned that children and young people with cancer are sometimes offered food in hospital which is unappetising and unresponsive to their needs; considers food and nutrition to be vital to these children and young people who need to keep up their immunity from infection, whose taste buds change as a result of chemotherapy, and who will be in hospital for some time; notes with concern that a survey of families by the children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent shows that a majority of families saw their food spending increase while their child was undergoing cancer treatment and that 77 per cent. of respondents described hospital food negatively; welcomes CLIC Sargent's new Fit to Eat guidelines for hospitals; and calls on the Government to renew its commitment to improve hospital food and ensure that all children with cancer are served food in hospital which is fit to eat.

That this House is concerned that children and young people with cancer are sometimes offered food in hospital which is unappetising and unresponsive to their needs; considers food and nutrition to be vital to these children and young people who need to keep up their immunity from infection, whose taste...

That this House welcomes the recognition by Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, who recently visited Cuba, that European Union sanctions against Cuba are the fundamental obstacle to the advancement of relations with Cuba and should be eliminated; congratulates Cuba on its decision to sign two UN human rights treaties, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the decision to voluntarily allow UN human rights observers to make regular visits to Cuba; notes that a large majority of European Union member states are in favour of lifting European Union sanctions against Cuba; and urges the UK Government to vote to eliminate all sanctions against Cuba at the forthcoming Council of Europe meeting in July.

That this House welcomes the recognition by Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, who recently visited Cuba, that European Union sanctions against Cuba are the fundamental obstacle to the advancement of relations with Cuba and should be eliminated; congratulates Cuba on its decision to sign two UN...

That this House welcomes the commitment in a Written Statement on 22nd July 2007 to launch a public consultation on the review of prescription charges in England; notes that this consultation, initially expected in autumn 2007, has not yet been published; is concerned that recent MORI research found that an estimated 800,000 people are going without vital medication because they cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions; and supports Arthritis Care, Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, Asthma UK, Breast Cancer Care, Citizens Advice, Disability Alliance, Macmillan Cancer Support, Mind, MS Society, Parkinson's Disease Society and the Terrence Higgins Trust in urging the Government to launch its consultation as soon as possible.

That this House welcomes the commitment in a Written Statement on 22nd July 2007 to launch a public consultation on the review of prescription charges in England; notes that this consultation, initially expected in autumn 2007, has not yet been published; is concerned that recent MORI research found that an...

That this House recognises that the bearskin caps worn by British military personnel have no military significance and involve unnecessary cruelty; and invites the Government to end their use and to substitute hats made from fake fur.

That this House recognises that the bearskin caps worn by British military personnel have no military significance and involve unnecessary cruelty; and invites the Government to end their use and to substitute hats made from fake fur.

That this House notes that ??3 per patient is spent on meals in hospitals, 70 pence per pupil is spent on meals in schools and up to ??12 is spent on meals for prisoners held in police cells; is concerned that these figures are unjust and that the situation is untenable; and calls on the Government to conduct an immediate review of spending priorities in hospitals, schools and prisons.

That this House notes that ??3 per patient is spent on meals in hospitals, 70 pence per pupil is spent on meals in schools and up to ??12 is spent on meals for prisoners held in police cells; is concerned that these figures are unjust and that the situation is...

That this House notes that 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the NHS breast and cervical screening programmes; commends the programmes for the thousands of lives saved through the early detection of cancer; thanks all those NHS staff who have made these achievements possible; and hopes that the screening programmes continue to build on this success over the next 20 years.

That this House notes that 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the NHS breast and cervical screening programmes; commends the programmes for the thousands of lives saved through the early detection of cancer; thanks all those NHS staff who have made these achievements possible; and hopes that...

That this House congratulates the No Smoking Day charity on its 25th annual public health campaign, The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, which will take place on 12th March 2008; further notes that despite recent tobacco control legislation smoking remains the number one cause of premature avoidable death in the UK; and further notes the need for continued support of No Smoking Day, local stop smoking services and other projects aimed at helping smokers who want to quit.

That this House congratulates the No Smoking Day charity on its 25th annual public health campaign, The Great No Smoking Day Challenge, which will take place on 12th March 2008; further notes that despite recent tobacco control legislation smoking remains the number one cause of premature avoidable death in the...

That this House welcomes the opportunities which have arisen for Cuba to further its relationship both culturally and economically with countries including the UK; calls on the British Government to facilitate this; and further welcomes the continuing success of Cuba in biotechnology, health and education.

That this House welcomes the opportunities which have arisen for Cuba to further its relationship both culturally and economically with countries including the UK; calls on the British Government to facilitate this; and further welcomes the continuing success of Cuba in biotechnology, health and education.

That this House supports the Eating Disorders Awareness Week from 25th February to 1st March, co-ordinated by beat, the eating disorders charity; notes the role that families and carers have in supporting the treatment and recovery of a patient; and urges the Government to ensure that existing National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines on involving and supporting families are adequately adhered to.

That this House supports the Eating Disorders Awareness Week from 25th February to 1st March, co-ordinated by beat, the eating disorders charity; notes the role that families and carers have in supporting the treatment and recovery of a patient; and urges the Government to ensure that existing National Institute of...

That this House notes with dismay the decision of the Government to reduce the funding to the Public Lending Right by over ??2 million in real terms over the next three years; considers this will have adverse effects on over 30,000 writers in what has been sanctioned a National Year for Reading; and calls upon the Government to reconsider this decision and ensure that writers receive fair payment for fair use.

That this House notes with dismay the decision of the Government to reduce the funding to the Public Lending Right by over ??2 million in real terms over the next three years; considers this will have adverse effects on over 30,000 writers in what has been sanctioned a National Year...

That this House marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, celebrating survivors of childhood cancer; notes that children and young people stand a better chance than ever of surviving cancer, but can suffer physical and emotional effects of cancer or treatment throughout their lives; welcomes the announcement of the new National Cancer Survivorship Initiative; notes that children and young people should receive the educational support they need during treatment for cancer, and in transition back to school; notes that survivors of childhood cancer can suffer late effects which impact on their learning capacity and educational attainment and which demand timely and effective special educational needs support from schools; hopes that plans to raise the school leaving age to 18 years will be extended to include out of school education support for young people with cancer; and congratulates CLIC Sargent on its work to help survivors of childhood cancer to get their lives back.

That this House marks Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, celebrating survivors of childhood cancer; notes that children and young people stand a better chance than ever of surviving cancer, but can suffer physical and emotional effects of cancer or treatment throughout their lives; welcomes the announcement of the new National Cancer...

That this House notes that 30,000 people are diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer every year in the UK; congratulates the Rarer Cancers Forum on the support it provides for people with rare or less common cancers; is concerned that many GPs know little about rarer cancers and people are often diagnosed late; believes that more should be done to raise awareness of the preventable causes and observable symptoms of all cancers, including rarer types; believes that care for patients with rarer cancers is best provided in specialist centres with high quality treatment and where patient information can be provided; further believes that people with rarer cancers should have equal access to the drug treatments that they need, and is concerned that many such treatments fall outside the current threshold; notes that the Cancer Reform Strategy places a heavy emphasis on improving the treatment that people with rare and less common cancers receive; and calls on the Government to rapidly implement the recommendations of both the Cancer Reform Strategy and the Rarer Cancers Manifesto on rare and less common cancers.

That this House notes that 30,000 people are diagnosed with a rare or less common cancer every year in the UK; congratulates the Rarer Cancers Forum on the support it provides for people with rare or less common cancers; is concerned that many GPs know little about rarer cancers and...