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St. Bartholomew's Hospital

: If the hon. Gentleman will forgive me, I will not. I would welcome representations from him and his hon. Friends after the debate, but in the few moments that I have left now, I want to reiterate that services should not remain static for ever, but should reflect advances in technology and clinical practice. Throughout the transitional phase—the closing phases of this PFI process—staff involved in the scheme and those who have continued to provide health care to patients have worked tirelessly. I have been taking an active interest in the project, and it is important that I, not with ministerial responsibility for the PFI process but with responsibility for London services, acknowledge how tirelessly the staff engaged in the project have been working. I pay tribute to all those who contribute to the excellent work of these hospitals. I assure the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster that officials are working closely with North East London SHA and the trust to arrive quickly at the best solution for the local health economy. I appreciate the anxiety and interest shown by those who have participated in this debate, and by those who wanted to participate and to whom I have been a little mean. The hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster was far more gracious in giving way than I have been able to be; it would be my normal practice to give way. However, I have listened to what has been said today and I am reading what is being said by staff at the hospital through the pages of the local press. We are working closely with all concerned to resolve the issue as quickly as possible with the best outcome not only for east Londoners, who are close to my heart, but for everyone who has an interest in the services that these hospitals provide.