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NHS Redress Bill [HL]

I thank the noble Lord for his question. He told me that the Healthcare Commission feels that it would have a conflict of interest. I am not sure that I truly believe that it is a conflict of interest, and I believe that it is possible to have Chinese walls in organisations. However, if that is not possible, that would be the only reason for looking at taking it away. My view is that the whole redress system should include to some extent complaints. That is why the noble Earl, Lord Howe, has emphasised the fact that we do not want all complaints taken forward, but those where people want an investigation, maybe an apology, and an assurance that what has happened will not happen again. That is not so very separate from some of the stuff that the Healthcare Commission is looking at anyway. The Healthcare Commission looks generally at quality within the service. So, to answer the question: I think that the Healthcare Commission could do both. The Minister may tell me that that is not possible, but I remain to be convinced. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 58 to 61 not moved.] Clause 11 agreed to. Clause 12 [Disclosure to scheme authority]: