Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)

I beg to move amendment No. 229, in

clause 29, page 11, line 25, leave out subsection (2) and insert—

'(2) In subsection (1) of section 15 (establishment of Patients' Forums) after paragraph (b) there is inserted ''and

(c) each foundation trust.''.'.

Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham, Conservative)

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:

Amendment No. 230, in

clause 29, page 11, line 32, after '(2)', insert

'in paragraph (c)(ii) after ''NHS trust'', there is inserted ''or foundation trust'' and'.

Amendment No. 231, in

clause 29, page 11, line 35, at end add—

'(5) In section 16 (additional functions of PCT Patient's Forums) in subsection (4)(c) after ''NHS trusts'', there is inserted ''and foundation trusts,''.

(6) In section 19 (supplementary)—

(a) in subsection (2)(k) after ''by an NHS trust,'' there is inserted ''a foundation trust,'';

(b) in subsection (2)(p) after ''by NHS trusts,'' there is inserted ''foundation trusts,''; and

(c) in subsection (4)(a) after ''for each NHS trust,'' there is inserted ''and foundation trust''.'.

Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)

We have already discussed patient forums and it seems ridiculous that they cannot exist in foundation trusts.

That must be the briefest speech in support of any amendment.

Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford, Conservative)

I want to echo the words—

Dr Evan Harris (Oxford West & Abingdon, Liberal Democrat)

On a point of order, Mr. Atkinson. I was expecting to hear the question put.

Mr Peter Atkinson (Hexham, Conservative)

If the hon. Gentleman reads Hansard tomorrow, the question will have been put.

Mr Simon Burns (West Chelmsford, Conservative)

I just wanted to add to what the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon said. It seems extraordinary that patient forums will not apply to foundation trusts given the rhetoric that Government Ministers came up with at the time. They have abolished the community health councils only to end up with what is a deeply unsatisfactory situation. In addition, for those areas of the country where patient forums will apply, there will be a hiatus of three months.

It being Seven o'clock, the Chairman put the Question necessary under the terms of the programme resolution to complete the business.

Question put, That the amendment be made:—

The Committee divided: Ayes 6, Noes 14.