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Health Bill

I do not think that there is any issue between me and the noble Earl. We are committed to consultation on the regulations and I am happy to make the commitment that there will be full consultation on regulations on general ophthalmic services contracts with representatives of providers of ophthalmic services. We do not think it necessary for that to be in the Bill. That has not been previous practice and such a requirement is not in primary legislation for current general ophthalmic services, nor for medicine, dentistry or pharmacy. We see no reason why it should be necessary in this case. However, I emphasise that we will have full consultation with the profession on the regulations before they are made. It is important also to make the point that we intend to consult with other bodies on certain contractual issues. For example, in relation to exclusion from holding a contract, we would consult with the Counter Fraud and Security Management Service, as one reason for exclusion is likely to be a history of fraud. So there will be a wider range of people whom we want to consult. However, that does not diminish in any way our firm commitment, which I am happy to repeat, that we will have full consultation on the regulations. We think it unnecessary to provide for that in the Bill. I hope that that gives the noble Earl the reassurance for which he was looking.