NHS Next Stage Review

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 12:32 pm on 4 July 2007.

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Photo of Alan Johnson Alan Johnson The Secretary of State for Health 12:32, 4 July 2007

I apologise, Mr. Speaker. I should say that the Rubicon has been crossed. Core principle No. 7 of the NHS core principles, which the hon. Gentleman's party has now signed up to, says:

"Public funds for healthcare will be devoted solely to NHS patients".

We remain committed to that. It is a big change for the Conservative party to follow us across the Rubicon, and Mr. Lansley has left some Members behind on the other side. Sitting behind him is Mr. Bone, from the Cornerstone group, who still has to cross those perilous waters. Now we can decide together how we will take the NHS on to its next stage.