Clause 20 - Payments relating to past performance
Health and Social Care Bill
10:15 am
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
I fail to be convinced by the Minister's argument. My interpretation of section 29(4) of the 1977 Act is that it would allow for a fixed salary, without reference to capitation, equivalent to 49 per cent. of the total remuneration to be paid. I see nothing in clause 20 that would stop a further amount, linked to capitation, being paid, and a further amount beyond that, linked to the fulfilment of other criteria.
The Minister is clearly basing his remarks on the advice that he has been given. I will go away and talk to people who are better able to dissect these things than I am. I do not pretend to be a lawyer. One of the problems under which we labour in this place is that we are expected to provide interpretations and advice for which people outside the House would expect to be paid a great deal more per hour than Members of Parliament or civil servants are. However, I hope that the Minister will think again if I come back to him, before the Bill is considered on Report, with an opinion that gives credence to what I am saying. We are simply seeking to look behind what he is trying to do and find out whether he has an agenda that requires the measure. Such an agenda might give some cause for concern, whereas his stated agenda, which we do not believe requires the clause, does not. We accept that that agenda is being discussed with the profession. Our only concern is to unmask any actual or potential hidden agenda for the future.
The Committee can move on now, but I hope to revisit the issue with the Minister later. I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
Clause 20 ordered to stand part of the Bill.