Schedule 1 - Constitution of public benefit corporations
Health and Social Care(Community Health and Standards) Bill
9:15 am
Mr Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell, Conservative)
In my judgment, both of the amendments are wrong. I accept the hon. Gentleman's desire to ensure that information is provided to those who have a professional or official reason for requiring it. However, it seems to me that in this day and age—particularly taking the example set in the House of Commons, Mr. Griffiths—it should be possible for the register to be put online to make it accessible and free of charge to everyone. Therefore, it is my hope that while making this provision in the Bill, Ministers do not really intend for it to be used.
I see no reason for not making constitutional changes and not making information from registers available online. The majority of the population have access to online information, and the cost of providing information to those who do not have internet access is quite small. Therefore, I hope that trusts will not feel the need to make such a charge. On that basis, I do not agree with the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon, who was trying to make a distinction. All members of the public should have access to that information. It can be provided free and easily, and so it should be.