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NHS Redress Bill [HL]

Once again, it would be of assistance to the Committee if the Minister were given an opportunity to flesh out the skeletal provisions of this clause. In particular, it might be helpful to hear a little more about Clauses 4(2)(e) and (f), which refer to requiring proceedings under the scheme to be commenced in specified circumstances and for notification of the commencement of proceedings under the scheme in specified circumstances. I have a hazy idea of what those provisions may entail, but it would useful to hear chapter and verse. It would also be useful to hear a bit about what sort of time limits may be imposed regarding making an application in the first instance. That matter is referred to in Clause 4(2)(c). The policy statement published last week indicated that the Government intend to impose time limits on each stage of the process. Can the Minister tell us more about that idea and what it will mean in practice? What will be the legal force of such time limits? Lastly, can the Minister say something about the categories of person who will be able to instigate proceedings under the scheme? If it is a dependent of someone who has died as the result of negligent treatment, that dependent will need to be able to demonstrate whether he or she has a financial interest in the event or simply a human interest in the loss caused by the person’s death.