We have made it clear that we support the sentiment behind the Bill and therefore we have no problem in supporting the sentiment behind the new clause. In many ways, it is inherently obvious and what it says goes without saying. It could be argued that that raises the question...

We have made it clear that we support the sentiment behind the Bill and therefore we have no problem in supporting the sentiment behind the new clause. In many ways, it is inherently obvious and what it says goes without saying. It could be argued that that raises the question...

It is important to be clear on that point. My understanding is that the investigation report is the document that would be prepared by the scheme member for the NHS Litigation Authority to use when considering the conduct of the investigation and the issues arising as regards quantum and liability....

It is important to be clear on that point. My understanding is that the investigation report is the document that would be prepared by the scheme member for the NHS Litigation Authority to use when considering the conduct of the investigation and the issues arising as regards quantum and liability....

I thank the Minister for that, but ask him to re-examine Government amendment No. 11(2B), which says:"““A scheme may provide that no copy of an investigation report need be provided…before an offer is made…in such circumstances as may be specified””." That needs clarification. I think that the Minister is saying...

I thank the Minister for that, but ask him to re-examine Government amendment No. 11(2B), which says:"““A scheme may provide that no copy of an investigation report need be provided…before an offer is made…in such circumstances as may be specified””." That needs clarification. I think that the Minister is saying...

Like all Lib Dem polls.

Like all Lib Dem polls.

Can we be absolutely clear about this point? I and other Members have tried to question the Minister on it and we are having a little trouble pinning him down. We all agree that an investigation report will be produced at the end of the fact-finding stage. Can he confirm...

Can we be absolutely clear about this point? I and other Members have tried to question the Minister on it and we are having a little trouble pinning him down. We all agree that an investigation report will be produced at the end of the fact-finding stage. Can he confirm...

I am grateful to the Minister for listening to the representations made in Committee about the production of an annual report. However, if the report of a particular case is made available to a member of the public—we are all in favour of transparency and openness here—has he considered whether...

I am grateful to the Minister for listening to the representations made in Committee about the production of an annual report. However, if the report of a particular case is made available to a member of the public—we are all in favour of transparency and openness here—has he considered whether...

We were asked to go further in Committee. We have in the Bill a requirement to provide an explanation and an apology if one is deemed appropriate. I argued in Committee that that would ordinarily meet the concerns expressed by the hon. Member for Romsey, because people would receive an...

We were asked to go further in Committee. We have in the Bill a requirement to provide an explanation and an apology if one is deemed appropriate. I argued in Committee that that would ordinarily meet the concerns expressed by the hon. Member for Romsey, because people would receive an...

There is a built-in incentive for trusts to settle under the scheme because if they fail to do so, they face the prospect of duplicating effort and going through a further legal battle. The fact that the scheme contains a built-in incentive for trusts to settle will help to build...

There is a built-in incentive for trusts to settle under the scheme because if they fail to do so, they face the prospect of duplicating effort and going through a further legal battle. The fact that the scheme contains a built-in incentive for trusts to settle will help to build...

I will give way to the Minister in a moment. The clinician may find himself in that position. The Minister’s suggestion—this is the point to which I would like him to respond—that the clinician will be happy with that, and that it will lead to openness, is absurd.

I will give way to the Minister in a moment. The clinician may find himself in that position. The Minister’s suggestion—this is the point to which I would like him to respond—that the clinician will be happy with that, and that it will lead to openness, is absurd.

We have heard a very powerful speech that goes to the heart of the issue, which is the patient experience. It is not possible for the House to focus too much on the position of someone who has been wronged by the system and has a great sense of grievance....

We have heard a very powerful speech that goes to the heart of the issue, which is the patient experience. It is not possible for the House to focus too much on the position of someone who has been wronged by the system and has a great sense of grievance....

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that openness and independence are essential to gain confidence in the community and to provide a major protection for the excellent members of the NHS?

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that openness and independence are essential to gain confidence in the community and to provide a major protection for the excellent members of the NHS?

No. Hardly anybody gave way to me in Committee or this afternoon, so I will just make my brief remarks and sit down. I spoke more than once on Second Reading and in Committee about different ways in which the Bill could have been dealt with from the beginning and...

No. Hardly anybody gave way to me in Committee or this afternoon, so I will just make my brief remarks and sit down. I spoke more than once on Second Reading and in Committee about different ways in which the Bill could have been dealt with from the beginning and...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

I shall not keep the Whips from their tea for more than a few moments but I cannot resist telling the Minister that he is in danger of making me change one of my after-dinner speeches. My limited experience of Standing Committees has been uniformly depressing and frustrating. When I...

I shall not keep the Whips from their tea for more than a few moments but I cannot resist telling the Minister that he is in danger of making me change one of my after-dinner speeches. My limited experience of Standing Committees has been uniformly depressing and frustrating. When I...

It is with mixed feelings that I rise to speak on Third Reading. We had hoped to support the Bill, which has the worthy aim providing an alternative to going to court for NHS patients seeking redress, but despite some lively and learned debates, both on the Floor of the...

It is with mixed feelings that I rise to speak on Third Reading. We had hoped to support the Bill, which has the worthy aim providing an alternative to going to court for NHS patients seeking redress, but despite some lively and learned debates, both on the Floor of the...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. I am pleased to be able to send the Bill back to another place, and I hope that their lordships will give it their blessing. Although there remain some differences between ourselves and Opposition Members that we...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time. I am pleased to be able to send the Bill back to another place, and I hope that their lordships will give it their blessing. Although there remain some differences between ourselves and Opposition Members that we...

Steady on.

Steady on.

I rise to speak on Third Reading with mixed feelings, because I felt at many stages during the Bill’s progress that there was a lot of genuine consensus based on honesty and openness, on trying to ensure that patients could have a means of redress, and on facilitating that in...

I rise to speak on Third Reading with mixed feelings, because I felt at many stages during the Bill’s progress that there was a lot of genuine consensus based on honesty and openness, on trying to ensure that patients could have a means of redress, and on facilitating that in...

I am conscious that the Whips want to get home for their tea, so I will resist the temptation to dwell on what Opposition Members have said about legal advice, save to say that the whole tone of their remarks was so ill-judged as to be irresponsible and dangerous, and...

I am conscious that the Whips want to get home for their tea, so I will resist the temptation to dwell on what Opposition Members have said about legal advice, save to say that the whole tone of their remarks was so ill-judged as to be irresponsible and dangerous, and...