Speeches by Smyth.

“I will make some points, and then I will be happy take the hon. Lady’s intervention if I do not address what she was going to say. The hon. Member for North Shropshire outlined some of the history. This clause seeks to strike a balance. The governing principle behind it is that the decisions of the Secretary of State m…”

“I refer the hon. Gentleman back to my comments. The health service is defined under section 1 of the NHS Act 2006 as not being separate from the people it exists to serve. It is defined as “a comprehensive health service” for “the people of England”, directed at improving their health and at the “prevention, diagnosis …”

“The hon. Lady tempts me to delve into the politics of future Secretaries of State. They will respond according to the manifesto on which they are elected by the British public. That is the point of a democratically accountable public service. I think that the clause strikes that balance, as I have said. For those reaso…”

“We have a clear political and—as I think the hon. Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham said—philosophical division here. This Government believe in democratic accountability, in politics and in good government. I understand that both Opposition parties were architects of the 2012 Act, which created this huge, independ…”

“I thank the hon. Lady for that intervention, and I will come on to the power. As hon. Members are aware, NHS England currently holds similar powers, so it makes sense for these powers to be held by the Secretary of State once NHS England is abolished. I want to be clear—I hope that this will address the hon. Lady’s poi…”

“Education and training”

“Clause 7”

“Clause 6 ordered to stand part of the Bill.”

“Promoting innovation”

“Clause 6”

“Clause 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill.”

“HB78 The College of Optometrists”

“HB77 Specialised Healthcare Alliance (SHCA)”

“HB76 National Children’s Bureau on behalf of the Health Policy Influencing Group (HPIG)”

“HB75 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health”

“HB74 Healthwatch Redbridge”

“HB73 Care Quality Commission (CQC)”

“HB72 Association of Optometrists”

“HB71 Patient Experience Library”

“HB70 Healthwatch York”