Clause 4
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill
12:45 pm
Patrick Hall (Bedford, Labour)
This is an important point and I am grateful for the detail that my hon. Friend the Minister is providing. But, just to avoid doubt, let us deal with proposals that get over the first hurdle and are therefore considered in greater detail by the Government. Is he saying that the consultation mentioned in the clause, which must be carried out by the Secretary of State, is also expected to be complemented by action on the ground, at grass-roots level, by local councils that have made the bids that have got over the first hurdle?