Clause 18
Health and Social Care Bill
9:30 am
Stephen O'Brien (Shadow Minister, Health; Eddisbury, Conservative)
I note that in clause 18, both the phrase
“consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate”
in subsection (1)(b), and the phrase
“substantial change in the code”
are obviously very general statements, as is
“maintaining the power vested in the Secretary of State.”
It would be helpful, as we consider this clause, if the Minister could briefly outline what the force of the statement in subsection (1)(b) is on the consultation. What would he expect a substantial change in the code to be, in terms of degree?