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Health and Social Care Bill

My Lords, I very much welcome the Minister’s reply on the issues raised by Amendment No. 19. I am grateful to her for saying that she will take the matter away and look at it again. That is great news. It was encouraging to hear the noble Baroness say that she is looking actively for a solution on self-funders, and that proposals are likely to emerge soon. It is a pity that she is not yet in a position to go further than that. We had some extremely useful contributions, notably from the noble Baronesses, Lady Meacher and Lady Barker. I completely take the point of the noble Baroness, Lady Barker, that local authorities would not wish to perform the function I propose if there is any possibility that they may acquire a liability for the complainant’s care. I am not sure how that could come about but, if it is a risk, the contingency should certainly be avoided. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, suggested an interesting way that the local authority might fulfil the function. I am grateful to him for that. Regrettably, this is not a matter that we will be able to take further this evening. I look forward to further discussions with the Minister, perhaps outside these four walls. For now, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 20 not moved.]