MIKE Foster popped up in the Commons to remind us of the joy of the "planted" question.

Spotting Peter Luff was first on the order paper for health questions, he made his own way to the chamber of the Commons.

Peter asked about the finances of the local health service, pointing out South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust and the board which runs the Worcester hospital were both facing budgetary headaches.

Part of the blame must be shouldered by the Government, he said, for imposing waiting targets.

Would there be any cuts in services? the Tory MP asked.

Health Minister, John Hutton, said there wouldn't. "We are looking to expand health care services in the county because there is a need for that."

"That task would be greatly furthered if we had the honourable gentleman's support for the additional investment that we are providing."

At this point, Mike got to his feet to ask the Minister if he had "made an assessment of the impact on the finances of the Worcestershire health economy of diverting cash from the NHS to pay for tax relief on private medical insurance?"

He may as well have said: "Would the Minister like to say something nasty about the Tory party to get his own back for being asked an awkward question?"

The Minister, who we may assume saw the question coming, did not need asking twice.

"Yes, I have made such an assessment - and it would wipe out the additional £118m of investment, so I really do not think that the Conservative party's proposals would help to enhance the NHS in Worcestershire.

"Indeed, they would make the job of the NHS in Worcestershire immeasurably more difficult."