SECRETARY of State for Health, John Reid, was in Greater Manchester as a shock new report named the region as the new cancer death capital of England. When asked about Manchester's shameful record, Dr Reid, pictured left, insisted the problem was being addressed.

Q: New statistics show that if you live in Manchester you are almost twice as likely to die from cancer than if you live in more affluent areas in the south? Why does this North/South divide exist?

A: Everybody has the benefit of a National Health Service, but not everybody has benefited at the same rate. A child who lives in some areas of Manchester has a life expectancy of some eight years less than a child who comes from a middle-class family in Dorset.

Q: What are you doing to try to iron out these inequalities?

A: It's a scandal that after 60 years of the NHS, we still have such health inequalities. We are making huge headway - spending more money per year and we have 1,000 more cancer specialists. We have made substantial improvements in reducing the number of cancer deaths. Some areas of northern England need to do a lot more, that's why we are putting more money into underprivileged areas. We are getting more people seen more quickly, but I admit things are not perfect.

Q: You have been quoted in the past as saying that smoking is one of the few pleasures still available to the poor. Doesn't this encourage people on lower incomes to smoke more, putting them at greater risk of cancer?

A: What we want to do is encourage people to give up smoking by providing support like nicotine patches, through advertising and information. It isn't just a case of hectoring people, it is about giving them encouragement to make the decision for themselves.

Q: Do your support our campaign for the Metrolink tram extension?

A: We are back on track on this. This is not only important for transport in the area, but also for transporting people to some of our medical facilities. I have spoken to the health authority about this and they are happy that we are back on track. We are not discussing the original plans now, but they are satisfactory from the health point of view.

Health minister Rosie Winterton breezed through our questions when she sat down to breakfast with trainee paramedics as part of the ministerial tour. But when asked about plans to expand the Metrolink system, Ms Winterton smiled and paused for a brief word with her adviser, before replying that the issue was not within her remit. She added as an afterthought that the government supports campaigns to encourage cycling and walking as healthy forms of transport.

Q: What about the cancer report?

A: We know that there are health inequalities. A boy born in Manchester is likely to die eight years earlier than a boy born in Dorset. That could be a lot to do with smoking rates. Smoking rates have cut down from 50 per cent of the population to 25 per cent and we want to reduce that further.

Q: What is the government doing to reduce those figures?

A: We want to get public health policies in place. Smoking cessation schemes are working at the moment, but we do want to see that health inequalities are eradicated. It is a challenge, but it is one that we believe we have now set out a way forward to make sure all areas of the country are benefiting equally. It is about giving people information and making sure they understand.

Q: How does the government want to see public policy on smoking progress?

A: We are looking at a series of initiatives to ban smoking in pubs and restaurants. We are also looking at people being able to vote in membership-only venues. There are steps that we as a government can take to tackle this and we will take them. We want there to be a smoke-free environment in the workplace.

Professor Mike Richards, the government's cancer tsar was comfortable outlining his plans for tackling cancer death rates.

Q: Why does Manchester have a cancer mortality rate twice that of parts in the south?

A: While it is true that Manchester has a high death rate from cancer, it is twice that of the lowest rates in the country, not the general average. It is linked to the very high rates of smoking in Manchester. That is why the emphasis must be on helping people to stop. Two-thirds of smokers want to give up and we have introduced stop-smoking services in places across the north, including Manchester, and they are starting to make a difference. We also need to educate people how to spot the symptoms of cancer and come forward sooner as an earlier diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment.

Q: What is being done to address the postcode lottery of diagnosis and treatment?

A: There are unacceptable variances in cancer provision because of funding and this been reported to the Secretary of State, Dr John Reid. The variances have been due to a shortfall in numbers of pharmacists to nurses and more funding is being made available, there is also now extra usage of drugs across the NHS.

Q: How are the contributory factors to cancer deaths, such as obesity and heart disease being tackled?

A: There has been a major initiative to encourage people to choose healthy lifestyles, from making it easier for them to choose foods in supermarkets and the five-a-day fruit campaign. We are getting the message across to deprived areas across the country to improve their diets and live healthier.

Q: If a good public transport is essential to encouraging healthier lifestyles and in better healthcare provision should the government not back the Metrolink extension?

A: I am afraid I am not in a position to comment on the Metrolink.

Health Minister John Hutton unveiled tough new plans to tackle the MRSA superbug during a Bolton Hospital tour. But on the shocking cancer death figures, he was dismissive and instead referred us to a Department of Health press release.

Q: How big is the MRSA problem and what is the government doing to tackle it?

A: It is a big problem for the NHS. To get on top of it we do not just need nurses and doctors to take preventative steps, we need patients and the public to do their bit as well. The alcohol gel is a way of cleaning any bugs that are around. Nurses are also carrying the gel around with them and it is available at ward entrances. We have launched high-profile awareness campaigns and publicity campaigns. It is a big community effort that everyone has got to be involved with.

Q: Can MRSA ever be eradicated?

A: It is impossible to eradicate every case, but we are seeing significant reductions. It is encouraging, but everyone needs to do more.

Q: Does the government support the extension and expansion of Greater Manchester's Metrolink system?

A: The government does support the scheme. I am happy that a sensible way forward has been found.

Health Minister Stephen Ladyman was eager to talk about his speciality for prison health, but he refused to comment on the recent damning report into the death of the teenage inmate at Styal Prison, Sarah Campbell.

Q: What did you think about the recent report in which Styal Prison came under fire for a catalogue of failures?

A: I am unable to comment on this week's inquest. But many people arriving into the prison system had previously found themselves excluded by the health service, and prisons could be a first step in helping them cope with problems such as drug abuse and alcohol abuse.

Q: On the cancer report?

A: NHS staff in Rochdale and other parts of Greater Manchester are doing a lot of good work in the fight against cancer. It is difficult to compare Manchester with places like Kensington in London, which is a very different area of the country. It is important to look at reasons behind the apparent contrasts. The government is working hard to reduce cancer deaths.

Q: Do you support the Metrolink?

A: I am unable to comment about the battle to extend the Metrolink system. It was a matter for Transport Minister Alistair Darling.