Health Minister Anne Milton has given a robust performance on serious health problems in the North East in the face of Labour MPs claiming that cuts present a "clear and present" danger in terms of worsening the situation.

The main thrust of her argument was that the Government can only do so much, which sparked anger from Labour benches.

She said: "However, the major part of poor health in the area will be remedied only by widespread changes in behaviour.

"It is this Government's policy to encourage people to change how they live--[ Interruption. ] Hon. Members might gain slightly more from this debate if they listened to the answers rather than shouting at me from across the Chamber.

"We cannot frog-march people out of the off-licence, compel them to stop smoking or force them to practice safe sex.

"Our challenge is to make the case that freedom without responsibility is not sustainable, so for the first time, allowing for the progress of the Health and Social Care Bill through the House, the Secretary of State will have a specific responsibility to tackle health inequalities, whatever their cause, and will be backed up by similar duties-- [ Interruption. ]

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