Clause 28 - The Family Health Services appeal authority
Health and Social Care Bill
6:15 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
The Minister really must not plead the need to protect the proper independence of the Lord Chancellor in making the relevant decision as a reason for not answering, when the Bill itself states that the number specified by the Lord Chancellor shall have the consent of the Secretary of State. Clearly the Secretary of State, on whose behalf the Minister is speaking to the Committee, has a power of veto.