Part of Health and Social Care Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 3:00 pm on 17 January 2008.
Stephen O'Brien
Shadow Minister (Health)
3:00,
17 January 2008
I hope that the Committee feels duly excited by the fact that we have turned a page on the selection list.
The amendments would place the studies into efficiency and economy within the remit of Monitor instead of the commission. Amendment No. 38 is consequent on Clause 51 requiring the studies to be published. I do not need to reiterate last week’s debate on clause 2 and amendment No. 6, or the one that we had earlier today on clause 42 and amendments Nos. 30 and 31. I hope that the Minister feels more favourable towards the tremendous work that Monitor will be able to offer, given that these points have come up consistently during the course of our consideration of the Bill. Furthermore, I hope that he recognises the distinction in its expertise in and attitude towards economic regulation, as well as the other aspects of regulation that we have looked at.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
As a bill passes through Parliament, MPs and peers may suggest amendments - or changes - which they believe will improve the quality of the legislation.
Many hundreds of amendments are proposed by members to major bills as they pass through committee stage, report stage and third reading in both Houses of Parliament.
In the end only a handful of amendments will be incorporated into any bill.
The Speaker - or the chairman in the case of standing committees - has the power to select which amendments should be debated.
A parliamentary bill is divided into sections called clauses.
Printed in the margin next to each clause is a brief explanatory `side-note' giving details of what the effect of the clause will be.
During the committee stage of a bill, MPs examine these clauses in detail and may introduce new clauses of their own or table amendments to the existing clauses.
When a bill becomes an Act of Parliament, clauses become known as sections.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
