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Health Bill [HL]

Perhaps I may answer that question now and get it out of the way. The broad answer is: yes, we are very happy with the principles set out in the constitution; they are worded well. The questions that I posed earlier were really around what was missing from those principles, because they do not entirely reflect those enunciated in 2000 when the NHS Plan was published. As I have said, those principles seem admirable and have stood the test of time. There is no intent to change, and there has been no discussion on our part on changing, these principles. Indeed, the whole point of my amendment is that Governments of whatever persuasion cannot tinker with the principles that underpin the NHS.