Health and Social Care Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 1:30 pm on 24 January 2008.
Stephen O'Brien
Shadow Minister (Health)
The Clause makes the health and pregnancy grant an excepted matter, and therefore outside the competence of the Northern Ireland Assembly. As we are discussing a matter that is applicable to England and, through the auspices of Welsh Ministers, in Wales, with a reference to Scotland from time to time, will the Minister tell us when pregnant mothers in Northern Ireland might expect to have the same opportunities and be under the same protection, in terms of their health and that of their unborn babies?
Ben Bradshaw
Minister of State (Regional Affairs) (South West), The Minister of State, Department of Health
This is the same system as applies to child benefit in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Assembly has approved the legislative motion for the Bill, including the health and pregnancy grant.
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.
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.
