GORDON Brown s Government has again been accused of stealing Conservative ideas – this time from North West Cambridgeshire MP, Shailesh Vara. Mr Vara told The Hunts Post that two of his Private Members Bills were now forming part of Labour s policy. The

GORDON Brown's Government has again been accused of stealing Conservative ideas - this time from North West Cambridgeshire MP, Shailesh Vara.

Mr Vara told The Hunts Post that two of his Private Members' Bills were now forming part of Labour's policy.

The Prime Minister has announced a six year extension to the age for breast cancer screening. Mr Vara's Breast Cancer Bill from two years ago sought to extend the age range for breast cancer screening, but at that time, failed to find Government support.

Mr Vara said the reason given at the time by Rosie Winterton MP, Minister of State for Health, was that there was no medical evidence to support a change.

The second of Mr Vara's bills, Protection of Property Bill, aimed to clarify that homeowners would only be prosecuted for using 'disproportionate force' against an intruder. This would have replaced the current wording which allows householders to use 'reasonable' force.

At the time, the Bill was rejected as "unhelpful".

Mr Vara said Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary, has since announced that the Government will review laws for people defending themselves or their property from criminals.

Mr Vara told The Hunts Post: "I am of course delighted that both my Private Members' Bills have been accepted by the Government, but a little surprised as when they were introduced the Government made sure they didn't progress."

He added: "The main thing is that the law is changing. Lives will be saved because of changes to breast cancer screening and there will be greater clarity about the rights of homeowners.