Michael Colvin (Romsey) asked Mr Blair at Prime Minister's Questions how much money would be added back to the defence budget to improve the pay and conditions of soldiers, improve recruitment and retain those already serving.

Under the Strategic Defence Review announced last week, total defence spending will fall by nearly £1bn, though the number of soldiers will rise by 3,300.

Mr Blair told Mr Colvin: "I won't take any lessons from the Conservatives on defence spending."

The Tories had cut spending by 30%, he said.

Referring to constant Conservative attacks over the increased public spending announced on Tuesday, he said: "The moment a Conservative MP gets "off-message" he asks for more spending, not less."

Tackling truancy

Earlier at Question Time, Gordon Marsden (Lab, Blackpool South) asked about government plans for the Social Exclusion Unit.

Could some of the £4.4bn put aside in the spending review for regeneration be used in seaside towns like his own, he wondered.

The prime minister said the unit had produced two excellent reports - one on truancy, one on rough sleepers.

The extra money would tackle social exclusion and deprivation.

He said: "We believe that if this investment goes into the economy, we will give opportunity to people who don't presently have it, and the result is that they come off benefit and get into work, they're able to make a contribution to society.

"It's better for them, better for the country's economy and creates the fair and more decent society this side of the House wants to see."

Cash for cancer

Ian Gibson (Lab, Norwich North) wanted Mr Blair to join in campaigning for more radiotherapy equipment and trained staff to deal with cancer sufferers.

The government had already put more cash into cancer services, replied Mr Blair.

The £21bn extra given to the NHS in the Comprehensive Spending Review would improve services, including cancer services, replied the prime minister.

And the Health White Paper guarantees that everyone referred by their GP with cancer would be seen within two weeks of a request for an appointment.