Duncan Smith attacks on health

Iain Duncan Smith makes his questions debut

New Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith went on the offensive over Labour's record on the health service in his debut appearance at prime minister's question time.

The continuing war against terror provided the early focus for exchanges, with Mr Blair saying that fresh efforts would be made to ensure humanitarian aid got through to those who needed it in Afghanistan.

He said that the Taleban were currently obstructing those efforts.

Mr Duncan Smith initially focused on the military action during the weekly showpiece session when the prime minister faces questions in the House of Commons.

Health service

But he later quizzed the prime minister on a survey showing that a large number of family doctors were unhappy in their jobs - a topic fitting with his pledge to focus on public services.

He said that Labour's pleas for more time to improve services, would lead to more "wasted time" and said Labour "always put favours to its friends" ahead of the interest of patients.

Mr Blair said in response that the Tories had no credibility when it came to running public services.

He had earlier called for continuing action against the Taleban until the regime was toppled and Osama Bin Laden brought to justice.

In his first appearance as the new leader of the opposition, Mr Duncan Smith also said that the biggest obstacle to ending the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan was the Taleban regime.

Mr Duncan Smith knows he has a hard act to follow with William Hague known as a humorous and adept performer at prime minister's questions.