Care Bill [Lords] – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:15 am on 4 February 2014.
Norman Lamb
The Minister of State, Department of Health
On a point of order, Mr Rosindell. Before we conclude the Committee stage of the Bill, I would like to put on record my thanks to everyone who has been involved in a variety of ways in ensuring that the Committee has been able to give the Care Bill such thorough scrutiny. I hope right hon. and hon. Members will agree that, aside from a few places where there has been robust debate, we all believe, particularly on the Government Benches, that the Bill represents a hugely significant step forward.
In the view of the shadow Minister, the hon. Member for Copeland, it might be a modest step forward. I would encourage him to be more generous. When he thinks of all of the individual clauses that he supported strongly, he will realise that the sum total is a hugely significant step forward for the health and care system. I think we have done the Bill justice to the appropriate timetable. That is thanks to the diligence of the Whips, for which I offer thanks, and the foresight of the usual channels. I sincerely thank all members of the Committee for their work and contributions.
I also thank you, Mr Rosindell, and your colleague Mr Bayley, for your guidance and effective stewardship of the Committee. I thank you both for your guidance and wisdom.
Daniel Poulter
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health
I echo my hon. Friend’s sentiments and comments. I thank you, Mr Rosindell, and Mr Bayley for your stewardship of the Committee in the Chair. I also thank the staff of the House who have supported the Committee: the Clerks, Hansard and the Doorkeepers, who have kept the process running so smoothly. I would also like to recognise the efforts of parliamentary counsel in preparing the legislation and the officials from the Department of Health for whose continued support my hon. Friend and I are always very grateful. Thank you to all members of the Committee for their contributions.
Liz Kendall
Shadow Minister (Health) (Care and Older People)
I also want to thank everyone who has worked so hard, not only hon. Members but the fabulous Hansard staff who amaze me every day, the Clerks and Department of Health officials. I would also like to say thank you to the staff of hon. Members here, particularly my staff and those of my hon. Friend the Member for Copeland, who have done a phenomenal amount of work. It is perhaps not an equivalent amount to that provided by civil servants, but they are just a few people who do incredible work.
I also want to thank all the organisations that have bust a gut to provide us with briefings on complicated issues. We rely on them as the Opposition in a democracy to help and support us. I also thank all hon. Members for drawing on their own experience, particularly those who have talked about their professional and personal backgrounds as well as the experiences of their constituents. That is why we are here: to represent our constituents. So, I echo those thanks and to you, Mr Rosindell, and Mr Bayley.
