PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
MACMILLAN CANCER RELIEF:BUILDING BETTER CANCER SERVICES (4 December 2001)

That this House congratulates Macmillan Cancer Relief on its powerful exhibitions in the Upper Waiting Hall during the week beginning 3rd December; supports Macmillan's important work to ensure that, right from the start, when cancer is first diagnosed, and throughout the experience, people affected by cancer have both the expert care and the practical and emotional support they really need; applauds the numerous innovative ways in which Macmillan seeks to realise this vision, including through more than 2,000 Macmillan nurses, over 300 Macmillan specialist consultants and doctors, CancerVOICES to ensure the cancer service user's voice is heard in service development; over ú5 million in patient grants to almost 20,000 people in 2000, with most cheques sent within three days of receipt of grant application; extensive information and support services, including an information line that helped 23,000 people in 2000; and a programme of building projects for the NHS that in 2000 alone totalled ú5.2 million; notes with concern that Macmillan and cancer patients are currently penalised for this unique charitable contribution to the tune of approximately ú1 million per annum in irrecoverable VAT; further notes with alarm that no action has yet been taken to address this unjust anomaly; appreciates the deep debt of gratitude Macmillan owes honourable Members from all parties for their kind support of Macmillan appeals and initiatives in their constituency and nationally; and calls on the Department of Health and Her Majesty's Treasury to agree at the earliest opportunity a just, joined-up and sustainable solution that will end Macmillan's ú1 million bill for irrecoverable VAT on building costs and release funds which could otherwise fund 30 additional Macmillan nurses.

Sponsored by:
Dr Ian Gibson (Labour)