Mr Brown, the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath in Scotland, received rapturous applause for his announcement that cancer patients would benefit from free prescriptions. However, before we get carried away with our Prime Minster's apparent generosity, it should be remembered that in Wales nobody has paid for a prescription for nearly two years now and any of Gordon Brown's constituents in Scotland, suffering from long-term or permanent illnesses, haven't paid for prescriptions for some time.

Already, 92 per cent of prescriptions dispensed in Scotland are free and by 2011 they will all be free.

It costs over £30m per year to subsidise prescriptions in Wales and when prescription charges are abolished completely in Scotland, this is expected to be up to £45m per year. The Scots and Welsh pay less into the treasury than they take out – their prescription charge subsidy is paid for with English taxes whilst we make do with a second rate health service.

Scotland and Wales enjoy, it seems, the luxury of dining at the United Kingdom dinner table whilst the English make do with the scraps. How nice it must be to have a government that looks after its own people. The Scottish have one, the Welsh have one, alas the English do not and until we do it seems inequality and injustice will continue.

Mark Elwen, Penda's Way, Leeds