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Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

When I looked at the difference in meaning between ““required”” and ““expected””, the words of Horatio Nelson came straight to my mind. He said: "““England expects that every man shall do his duty””." There was no argument about what ““expect”” meant. If the aim of the amendment is to strengthen the intention that employees are expected to be impartial, loyal, trusting and trustworthy, there could be an argument for it, but, quite frankly, I cannot see the difference between the two words. My experience, which is not as great as that of many people on the other side of the Chamber—mine and that of colleagues certainly does not add up to 87 years or a small share of it—was that there was never any question that the best service was given to the council. The noble Baroness clearly referred to senior employees with muscle and perhaps with their own agenda. People who were in power one year, then out of power again, of course carried the confidence of the chief officers. There would be a relationship or an ambience among the senior members on all sides, but there was never any question about the quality of the advice. The Minister may be able to advise us whether there is any need for, or value in, the proposal. If there is a value in it, I am prepared to listen, but I cannot see it.