Committee (1st Day)

Part of Health and Social Care Bill – in the House of Lords at 7:45 pm on 25 October 2011.

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Photo of Lord Davies of Stamford Lord Davies of Stamford Labour 7:45, 25 October 2011

That is a very tactful way of putting it. I do not intend to speak for very much longer, but I want to complete my remarks. I simply want to say that any self-respecting person-and I am sure that the Secretary of State is one-would not accept being given duties and responsibilities without being clear about the powers that he or she had to fulfil them. I would not do so. This is a very anomalous position, where we are told that future consideration will be given to what exactly the powers will be, that future Bills will define them. I do not think that is a satisfactory situation at all, if that is the position.