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Private Sector (NHS)

I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss these matters this afternoon. Of the 10 minutes that I have, I will spend about half responding directly to the concerns raised by my hon. Friend the Member for North Durham (Mr. Jones). I will then try to cover the other points. Where I fail to do so, I will write to hon. Members. This afternoon reminds me of when I got to my feet to make my maiden speech, and the Whips surrounded me with my hon. Friends. A voice from across the Chamber 19 Oct 2005 : Column 292WH said, "What are you doing surrounding him?" Someone else said, "We are just keeping him warm." I feel in good company and very warm this afternoon. My hon. Friend has been assiduous in his investigation of the matter. Indeed, rarely has an evening gone by when I have not signed another parliamentary answer, drafted by my noble Friend, Lord Warner, in response to another line of inquiry. After such a long and tantalising build up, it is satisfying to have the full consummation of an hour and a half's debate. If my wife allowed me to smoke, I would ask my hon. Friend to share a cigarette if not a cigar with me when we are finished. The truth is that this debate and the matter raised by my hon. Friend are important not only because they effect the health and well-being of his constituents but because they touch on a much broader issue of national significance: how the Government will fulfil their big promise to the country in May to cut the waiting time for treatment from the scandal of 18 months—which we inherited in 1997—down to just 18 weeks. When we were elected in 1997, waiting lists contained more than 1 million patients. Waiting times were out of control. Many people waited 18 months, but unacceptable waits were another part of life for many patients—long waits to see a consultant and in accident and emergency, and longer waits still for a GP. Thanks to our extra investment, our changes to the system and a lot of hard work from NHS staff, that is beginning to change.