Clause 1 - English Health Authorities: change of name
NHS Reform and Health Care Professions Bill
4:45 pm
Mr John Hutton (Minister of State, Department of Health; Barrow and Furness, Labour)
I do not want ever to confuse the hon. Gentleman. I was referring to the first full financial year in which the arrangements will take place, which, obviously, is April 2003. The basis for the measures will not come into operation until October 2002, which is the half way point. I repeat that I was referring to the first full financial year.
Perhaps I am wrong, but I hope that my comments have been of some value to hon. Members who have raised these concerns. The amendment is completely unworkable and unacceptable. It would build rigidities into a system that, as the hon. Member for West Chelmsford himself has said, has a paramount need for flexibility. I urge my hon. Friends to reject it.