Clause 69
Health and Social Care Bill
Public Bill Committees, 17 January 2008, 3:30 pm
Greg Mulholland (Shadow Minister, Health; Leeds North West, Liberal Democrat)
Last time, I was caught out by the brevity of the hon. Gentleman’s contribution, so I am on my toes this time. He seemed to get through at an excellent pace, and it was a very brief contribution.
Subsection (6) includes the phrase,
“in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate,”
which sends shivers down the spines of many of us who believe in proper scrutiny. It could mean anything, and it is inappropriate to include such a woolly phrase in the Bill. The purpose of the amendments, which the Liberal Democrats fully support, is to include in the Bill appropriate occasions of parliamentary scrutiny, when the Secretary of State shall make a statement. I look forward to what the Minister has to say. The phrase that I have quoted is inappropriate, which is why we support amendment No. 42. The clear and succinct inclusion in the Bill of the occasions when a statement should be made to Parliament would be appropriate.