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NHS Redress Bill [Lords]

My hon. Friend makes a very good point, which I hope the Minister will clarify. The Bill is clearly well meaning, and we will take pleasure in supporting it in its proper form. I can assure the Secretary of State, however, that we shall work hard on keeping that provision. How will the scheme be scrutinised? We have had reassurances that the ombudsman will be arbiter, and that all will therefore be well. Unfortunately, this House has seen rather too many examples in recent months of cases in which the Government have frankly ignored the advice of various ombudsmen. That is not reassuring, and it would be useful to know how the scheme will be assessed and what notice will be taken of any future recommendation by the ombudsman. It is a shame that the Bill does not go much further. It is, unfortunately, a rather half-hearted attempt to do something well meant and in the right direction. We very much hope to improve it in Committee.