Clause 39
Health and Social Care Bill
1:15 pm
Stephen O'Brien (Shadow Minister, Health; Eddisbury, Conservative)
As I am sure the Committee will have noticed, there was an unselected amendment tabled to the clause. In fact the point relating to that can be more sensibly dealt with in a stand part debate.
The memorandum on delegated legislation makes the helpful note that, because the power in the clause will enable the Secretary of State to modify the chapter by statutory instrument in its application to newly regulated activities of a prescribed description, any regulations will be subject to the affirmative resolution. The memorandum notes that
“this is not dissimilar to a Henry VIII power”.
Speaking of Henry VIII, I assure the Committee that, as he was wont to say to his wives, “I shan’t be keeping you long.”