The noble Lord keeps on talking about the Government doing this. Surely, however, the House of Commons has already rejected this policy four times, by an average of 50 votes.

The noble Lord keeps on talking about the Government doing this. Surely, however, the House of Commons has already rejected this policy four times, by an average of 50 votes.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make it a criminal offence for NHS employees to withhold medical treatment or care from patients on the ground of age.[HL3115]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make it a criminal offence for NHS employees to withhold medical treatment or care from patients on the ground of age.[HL3115]

My Lords, I have not intervened in these debates so far, and I hope that I will be forgiven for doing so now. I do not know whether the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, will welcome what I am going to say, but he will be pleased to know that I...

My Lords, I have not intervened in these debates so far, and I hope that I will be forgiven for doing so now. I do not know whether the noble Lord, Lord McKenzie, will welcome what I am going to say, but he will be pleased to know that I...

My Lords—

My Lords—

Yes, he is; he is an independent Labour Cross-Bencher. The Government have ring-fenced health and overseas aid. Is there not another item that has been ring-fenced? It is our net contribution to the European Union, which is £6.7 billion this year. Would the Minister agree that if that were reduced...

Yes, he is; he is an independent Labour Cross-Bencher. The Government have ring-fenced health and overseas aid. Is there not another item that has been ring-fenced? It is our net contribution to the European Union, which is £6.7 billion this year. Would the Minister agree that if that were reduced...

Before we go further, I forgot that I was a retired member of UNITE when I quoted from its brief, which I believe other Members of the Committee have received.

Before we go further, I forgot that I was a retired member of UNITE when I quoted from its brief, which I believe other Members of the Committee have received.

May I answer that question first?

May I answer that question first?

We have not finished yet. When I objected to the Bill being taken in Grand Committee, I was told, "There will be plenty of time to debate it in Grand Committee". The noble Baroness treated us to a very long explanation as to why this legislation should go through. I...

We have not finished yet. When I objected to the Bill being taken in Grand Committee, I was told, "There will be plenty of time to debate it in Grand Committee". The noble Baroness treated us to a very long explanation as to why this legislation should go through. I...

That was a bit flippant, wasn’t it? There was only one executioner and his assistant. We do not have capital punishment and I would not want it to be reintroduced. It says on tobacco packets, "Smoking kills", but smoking does not kill everyone who smokes. Will the Minister confirm that...

That was a bit flippant, wasn’t it? There was only one executioner and his assistant. We do not have capital punishment and I would not want it to be reintroduced. It says on tobacco packets, "Smoking kills", but smoking does not kill everyone who smokes. Will the Minister confirm that...

As the noble Lord, Lord Laird, mentioned me during his prolonged remarks, I should state exactly what happened. The noble Lord said: ""Why is it that the retailers of Northern Ireland support this ban? What is the difference?"—[Official Report, 5/3/09; col. GC 370]—" that is, the difference between Northern Ireland...

As the noble Lord, Lord Laird, mentioned me during his prolonged remarks, I should state exactly what happened. The noble Lord said: ""Why is it that the retailers of Northern Ireland support this ban? What is the difference?"—[Official Report, 5/3/09; col. GC 370]—" that is, the difference between Northern Ireland...

Indeed, that is what I said. Noble Lords—

Indeed, that is what I said. Noble Lords—

I merely stated the fact that those companies will do that; I was not supporting it. I was stating that they had other, large markets to which they would switch.

I merely stated the fact that those companies will do that; I was not supporting it. I was stating that they had other, large markets to which they would switch.

I did not really go along that line. All that I did—

I did not really go along that line. All that I did—

The noble Lord suggested that I left the Labour Party. Of course, I did not leave the Labour Party; I was expelled from the Labour Party because I supported decent Labour candidates on the A-list and B-list against Shaun Woodward—a defecting Tory who was parachuted into a safe Labour seat.

The noble Lord suggested that I left the Labour Party. Of course, I did not leave the Labour Party; I was expelled from the Labour Party because I supported decent Labour candidates on the A-list and B-list against Shaun Woodward—a defecting Tory who was parachuted into a safe Labour seat.

Will the noble Baroness give way?

Will the noble Baroness give way?

It might surprise the noble Baroness to learn that I am going to support her amendment.

It might surprise the noble Baroness to learn that I am going to support her amendment.

I do not want to keep the Committee for too much longer but, as I say, I was assured that in Committee I would have plenty of time to make my points. It was the Leader of the House who told me that. This is an important matter; a lot...

I do not want to keep the Committee for too much longer but, as I say, I was assured that in Committee I would have plenty of time to make my points. It was the Leader of the House who told me that. This is an important matter; a lot...

I am glad that she was well briefed. My other question arises from what the noble Baroness, Lady Coussins, said. She told us about her experience with the alcohol industry where she said it is already an offence for anyone to procure drinks for a person under the age of...

I am glad that she was well briefed. My other question arises from what the noble Baroness, Lady Coussins, said. She told us about her experience with the alcohol industry where she said it is already an offence for anyone to procure drinks for a person under the age of...

Before he does so, I have a couple of short questions for the Minister. First, will she remind me what the penalty is? Is it number five on the scale?

Before he does so, I have a couple of short questions for the Minister. First, will she remind me what the penalty is? Is it number five on the scale?

I think that it is a very good amendment. We have been dealing with this problem piecemeal over a long period. I think that the tobacco manufacturers and others who are concerned with the sale of tobacco should know where they are going. A 10-year programme would help those organisations...

I think that it is a very good amendment. We have been dealing with this problem piecemeal over a long period. I think that the tobacco manufacturers and others who are concerned with the sale of tobacco should know where they are going. A 10-year programme would help those organisations...