LABOUR MP Terry Lewis has called on Health Secretary Frank Dobson to implement recent recommendations of the Royal Commission on the care of the elderly in full and quickly.

The Worsley backbencher wants the proposals to be a building block to make further improvements for pensioners.

He rejected claims that the main recommendation of the state paying for all nursing, medical and personal care, leaving pensioners just pay for "hotel" or housing expenses such as bed and board was too expensive.

He said: "We can afford it.

"If we can afford to go bombing other countries and sending our troups into foreign nations, then we can afford to look after our old people properly.

"He should implement all the recommendations soon."

Mr Dobson has said he will consider carefully the recommendations before making up his mind.

But he made it clear he is not prepared to sign a blank cheque which could cost the Government £6 billion over the next 50 years.

Favour

Mr Lewis said: "I am all in favour of the recommendations.

"In Opposition we attacked the Tories for not looking after the elderly.

"Now we are the Government, we should do what we said we would do in opposition."

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