Business of the House

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 12:32 pm on 5 July 2001.

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Photo of Robin Cook Robin Cook Lord Privy Seal 12:32, 5 July 2001

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman confirms my memory, although it unaccountably slipped my mind that he had asked the question.

I do not think that even Mr. Hayes would say that my reply was characterised by spin. The fact is that the National Institute for Clinical Excellence rejected the view that the drug could be provided on the basis of clinical excellence and value for money. Essentially, NICE judges whether the health service should provide the drug, but I shall draw the hon. Gentleman's comments to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health.

In the past 50 minutes, there have been seven different requests for oral statements, which underlines the point that I made earlier: at some point, we have to strike a balance between oral statements and the business of the House.