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Health Bill [HL]

My Lords, I am most grateful to all those who took part in this debate, despite the fact that most of them did not agree with the purport of my amendment. I am particularly sorry that the Minister produced a large number of arguments, only some of which, in my view, hold much validity, and many of which were highly speculative in referring to the practice and experience of other countries. But I am grateful to her for her serious consideration of the matter. My proposal was, as I indicated, a compromise to give the Government the opportunity to come up with a less draconian proposition than is embodied in Clause 19. I obviously did not make myself sufficiently clear to the noble Lord, Lord Stoddart of Swindon, but I actually prefer the notion that we should vote down Clause 19 rather than pursue a compromise. As my compromise did not achieve more than a small amount of agreement, I intend to withdraw my amendment and look forward to the further debate we shall have in a short while. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 42 withdrawn. Amendment 43 not moved.