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Public Bodies Bill [HL]

My Lords, there is no doubt that the voice of the consumer needs to be heard, but much turns on how one defines ““consumer”” and how that voice is heard and dealt with. It is very hard to overlook the scandal that occurred when sick miners were deprived of many of the damages that they should have had because the firm of solicitors that was tied to the union by referral fees creamed off much of the money for itself. The system of referral fees is flawed and it is very hard to understand how a consumer panel can support what looks like the interests of solicitors firms and unions rather than those of consumers. Therefore, I think that there is an element of politicisation in this. It has not worked out in the way that was intended, and it would be right to refer the Bill to a Select Committee for careful examination of the quangos listed, category by category, and for us to think afresh about who sits on them and what their job should be.