No, we want to do this as soon as we possibly can. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will accept that no Minister can stand at the Dispatch Box in July and say exactly what will be in the next legislative Session. As I have said, it is certainly...

No, we want to do this as soon as we possibly can. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will accept that no Minister can stand at the Dispatch Box in July and say exactly what will be in the next legislative Session. As I have said, it is certainly...

The hon. Gentleman is right on those two points, but on the second point, it will be important to ensure that the advocacy provision is properly framed.

The hon. Gentleman is right on those two points, but on the second point, it will be important to ensure that the advocacy provision is properly framed.

My hon. Friend touches on an important point—how we benefit from the processes. That has not been particularly well thought through, not least because of the absence of, for instance, the great bed-watch campaigns that the old community health councils could collectively inspire. Indeed, the second of the three areas...

My hon. Friend touches on an important point—how we benefit from the processes. That has not been particularly well thought through, not least because of the absence of, for instance, the great bed-watch campaigns that the old community health councils could collectively inspire. Indeed, the second of the three areas...

I do not propose to go through the amendments at length, as we support most of them because they improve the Bill and make changes that we sought to secure in Committee. I particularly welcome the amendments that strengthen the role of the commission with regard to commissioning. My interpretation...

I do not propose to go through the amendments at length, as we support most of them because they improve the Bill and make changes that we sought to secure in Committee. I particularly welcome the amendments that strengthen the role of the commission with regard to commissioning. My interpretation...

I shall use precisely the same words as I used in my opening remarks on the previous group of amendments. I welcome—the Minister and the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) both seemed to miss my saying that—the majority of the amendments, which again pick up on points made by...

I shall use precisely the same words as I used in my opening remarks on the previous group of amendments. I welcome—the Minister and the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) both seemed to miss my saying that—the majority of the amendments, which again pick up on points made by...

Associated with my hon. Friend's comments is the fact that I am still unclear—I wonder whether he or, eventually, the Minister can clarify this—how some of the lessons learned and how the complaints procedure generally, whether it is through the Care Quality Commission or the ombudsman, will translate into changes...

Associated with my hon. Friend's comments is the fact that I am still unclear—I wonder whether he or, eventually, the Minister can clarify this—how some of the lessons learned and how the complaints procedure generally, whether it is through the Care Quality Commission or the ombudsman, will translate into changes...

This group consists of concessions, where we have listened and responded carefully to debate, and some minor technical amendments. Amendments Nos. 15, 16, 18 to 21 and 28 to 31 make it explicit that, as has always been our stated intention, the new regulator must conduct periodic reviews of care...

This group consists of concessions, where we have listened and responded carefully to debate, and some minor technical amendments. Amendments Nos. 15, 16, 18 to 21 and 28 to 31 make it explicit that, as has always been our stated intention, the new regulator must conduct periodic reviews of care...

I share the slight disappointment of the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) at the ungracious tone adopted by the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien). We made it clear throughout Committee that we were in listening mode, and open to constructive suggestions as to how to improve the Bill...

I share the slight disappointment of the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) at the ungracious tone adopted by the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien). We made it clear throughout Committee that we were in listening mode, and open to constructive suggestions as to how to improve the Bill...

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

I beg to move, That this House agrees with the Lords in the said amendment.

My right hon. Friend reaches for the overarching principle that lies behind the mindset that informs Bills of this type. The Government have an opportunity to pick up on the enormous amelioration that we could have, in resettling the basis on which the NHS can deliver, organically and from patient-driven...

My right hon. Friend reaches for the overarching principle that lies behind the mindset that informs Bills of this type. The Government have an opportunity to pick up on the enormous amelioration that we could have, in resettling the basis on which the NHS can deliver, organically and from patient-driven...

It would be churlish not to welcome the amendments, particularly those that reinforce the importance of social care. Given that most parties have tried to work together on some of these issues, it is a little churlish of the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) to claim that every amendment...

It would be churlish not to welcome the amendments, particularly those that reinforce the importance of social care. Given that most parties have tried to work together on some of these issues, it is a little churlish of the hon. Member for Eddisbury (Mr. O'Brien) to claim that every amendment...

Is all this not just more evidence that the Government cannot get away from centralised, target-setting, interfering bossiness, messing up the health service and not allowing innovation and professional choice?

Is all this not just more evidence that the Government cannot get away from centralised, target-setting, interfering bossiness, messing up the health service and not allowing innovation and professional choice?

As I was saying, amendment No. 2 introduces a new main objective for the commission. We have been clear throughout that the commission's main priority should be the safety and quality of services, and I said early on that I thought that its key functions and responsibilities were already set...

As I was saying, amendment No. 2 introduces a new main objective for the commission. We have been clear throughout that the commission's main priority should be the safety and quality of services, and I said early on that I thought that its key functions and responsibilities were already set...

I welcome this group of amendments, which delivers some of the changes that we were looking for, notably the inclusion of LINks—Local Involvement Networks—carers and service users, and proper representation for those with experience of health care, social care and functions under the Mental Health Act 1983. Unfortunately, it still...

I welcome this group of amendments, which delivers some of the changes that we were looking for, notably the inclusion of LINks—Local Involvement Networks—carers and service users, and proper representation for those with experience of health care, social care and functions under the Mental Health Act 1983. Unfortunately, it still...

My hon. Friend is making an important point. Does he have any explanation for the flip-flop, or U-turn? Is this a rare occasion when a Minister has listened and realised that he was wrong?

My hon. Friend is making an important point. Does he have any explanation for the flip-flop, or U-turn? Is this a rare occasion when a Minister has listened and realised that he was wrong?

The best I can say to my right hon. Friend is that I would like to think so. I recall saying at the outset of the Committee that as we were aiming for as much consensus as possible on health and social care—not areas that are normally given to the...

The best I can say to my right hon. Friend is that I would like to think so. I recall saying at the outset of the Committee that as we were aiming for as much consensus as possible on health and social care—not areas that are normally given to the...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my view, the scrutiny of the Bill in both Houses has been enormously constructive, helped by the fact that there was broad cross-party support for the principle of integration and a genuine commitment to getting the framework right. Increasing integration of, and collaboration between, health...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In my view, the scrutiny of the Bill in both Houses has been enormously constructive, helped by the fact that there was broad cross-party support for the principle of integration and a genuine commitment to getting the framework right. Increasing integration of, and collaboration between, health...

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance. Given that the Minister is now making his second speech on this amendment, does he need the leave of the House to do so?

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I seek your guidance. Given that the Minister is now making his second speech on this amendment, does he need the leave of the House to do so?

I was expecting, Mr. Speaker, that after what I said you would say that it will be convenient to consider the other amendments, and I would then continue. However, I am happy to make my points on the first group of amendments now, if that would be in order.

I was expecting, Mr. Speaker, that after what I said you would say that it will be convenient to consider the other amendments, and I would then continue. However, I am happy to make my points on the first group of amendments now, if that would be in order.

I appreciate that this is a technical matter, but the Minister will understand that there are commencement dates and people need to make their plans. I may have misheard him, but I think he said that schedule 8 will need to be implemented before the main part of the Bill....

I appreciate that this is a technical matter, but the Minister will understand that there are commencement dates and people need to make their plans. I may have misheard him, but I think he said that schedule 8 will need to be implemented before the main part of the Bill....