Committee (1st Day)

Part of Health and Social Care Bill – in the House of Lords at 7:15 pm on 25 October 2011.

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Photo of Lord Walton of Detchant Lord Walton of Detchant Crossbench 7:15, 25 October 2011

My Lords, before the debate on these amendments concludes, it had not been the intention of my noble friend Lord Patel and me, on coming to the Committee today, to divide on our Amendment 2. However, our view has been changed a little in the sense that the support that that amendment has had from all sides of the House has been very powerful. I shall read again what the actual Bill says. Under the heading,

"Secretary of State's duty to promote comprehensive health service", it says:

"The Secretary of State must continue the promotion in England of a comprehensive health service designed to secure improvement ... in the physical and mental health of the people of England, and ... in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness".

All that we have suggested in Amendment 2 is the addition of a paragraph (c) to secure improvement,

"in the provision of education and training of the health care workforce".

I find it difficult to suggest that any Government could refuse that amendment. It could be complementary to government Amendment 43. Will the Minister, who everyone in this House feels great respect for, take the amendment away, talk to the Government about it and see whether they might accept it as a government amendment on Report?