Clause 7
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill [Lords]
5:00 pm
Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour)
It is always surprising what things catch a Minister in Committee. I thought that clause 7 was very straightforward. Perhaps I can explain why the Government did it and then answer the points.
Of course the Government expect all public authorities to operate effectively, efficiently and economically. That is not a reflection on the HFEA’s past practice or performance. It is simply that the principles of better regulation were implemented following the Hampton report, which was quite a long way after the 1990 Act. They require regulation to be transparent. Regulators should be open and keep regulations simple and user-friendly. Regulation must be accountable. Regulators must be able to justify decisions and be subject to public scrutiny. It must be proportionate. Regulators should intervene only when necessary. Remedies should be appropriate to the risk posed and costs must be identified and minimised. The principles also require regulation to be consistent whereby rules and standards must be joined up and implemented fairly. They require regulation to be targeted so that it is focused on the problem and minimise the side effects.
The Government took the opportunity provided by the fact that we were updating the 1990 Act and included the principles in the Bill. They have been widely accepted by the House. It was no more, no less than that. Such action was not a reflection on the performance of the HFEA. We just took the opportunity offered by the Bill to put on the record something that we already expected. We did so for clarity. We did not mean to cause difficulties in Committee. In answer to the points that have been made, I must say that it is nothing to do with whether I continue to be the Minister; it is simply a tidying-up exercise.
The hon. Member for Southport raised a different issue—a register of what is declared. I am not exactly sure about what detail is provided publicly at the moment, but I agree with him. I shall put to the HFEA the point that such a register should exist and be accessible. It would be good practice and I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising it with me.
The hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon asked me to confirm that the measure is about complying with the Bill, not with the views of the media. I am happy to confirm that. I think that he wanted to make sure that that was on the record, and I am pleased to assist him. I hope that members of the Committee will accept that there was no other motive behind the provision, expect that it is a good principle. I hope that I have put their concerns to rest, and that they agree that what must be the most modest clause in the entire Bill should now stand part.