Clause 36 - The Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
Health and Social Care
9:45 am
Mr David Lammy (Parliamentary Secretary, Department of Health; Tottenham, Labour)
No, I do not accept that. No one will suggest that the chair designate, Sir Ian Kennedy, who was responsible for the inquiry into the Bristol Royal infirmary, is not independent or that the current CHI is not independent. The practice and behaviour of the NHS Appointments Commission has been exemplary. The hon. Gentleman might remember that some Members were very concerned that they would not have as much leverage on who would become chair or non-executive of their local trust when the Secretary of State decided that such appointments be made by a new commission. If I remember correctly, that issue was hotly debated about the time I was first elected to Parliament.
Several hon. Members rose—
Mr. Lammy: We are straying beyond the point, and I still have not reached the detail of the amendments.