Health and Social Care Bill (Programme) (No. 2)

David Heath Excerpts

Tuesday 21st June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Bryant]

Because there was no opportunity to have a debate last night. It would have been nice to be able to expose the problems with the way the Government are dealing with the Bill, but unfortunately such an opportunity was unavailable to us. It is a disgrace that there is no opportunity for amendment. It is also a disgrace that the whole Bill is not being recommitted. We have seen none of the amendments. The Government are basically saying, “We’ve decided where we want to change the Bill, and only those bits shall be available for discussion by the Committee.” That is a completely inappropriate abrogation of the powers of this House to the Crown. The person who should be most disgraced by that is the Deputy Leader of the House, because he has said so many times that he believes in better scrutiny and yet is now abandoning that.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of the Leader of the House of Commons (Mr David Heath)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Chris Bryant]

I will not give way. If he had allowed more—[Interruption.]