Schedule 5 - CHAI: supplementary

Part of Health and Social Care – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:00 am on 4 June 2003.

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Photo of David Lammy David Lammy Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health) 11:00, 4 June 2003

As I said, the Secretary of State chose the power to delegate the Appointments Commission and to do it through the auspices of a special health authority. In a sense, clause 168 reflects that power in relation to the new social care inspectorate. The question is what the operational practice of the Secretary of State and the Department of Health is, and the fact is that we delegate. The hon. Gentleman asked whether the Secretary of State could keep such powers to himself. The answer is yes, he could, but the current Secretary of State has said clearly that the powers should be delegated.

On an issue as important as the inspectorate for health and social care, the Secretary of State's clear intention is for the relevant powers to be delegated and for appointments to be made through the NHS Appointments Commission. Hon. Members therefore do not have any reason to doubt the Government's intention on the matter. With the assurances that I have given, I hope that the hon. Gentleman will see fit to withdraw the amendment.