NHS Future Forum

Frank Dobson Excerpts

Tuesday 14th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Order. The Opposition Front-Bench team should not be yelling at the Secretary of State when he is answering. [Interruption.] Order. On both sides of the House, right hon. and hon. Members, whatever the passions they feel, need to simmer down just a little. A fine example of that calm and stoicism can now be provided by the right hon. Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Frank Dobson).

[Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) (Lab)]

Does the Secretary of State recognise that forcing the national health service to start implementing his changes before the law had been changed has resulted in vast expense to the NHS, in chaos to services and in the diversion of NHS staff from the treatment of patients? Does he also recognise that just cobbling together a few amendments to the Bill will not make things better but worse? Will he not recognise—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I ask the right hon. Gentleman to finish his sentence. We must press on.

[Frank Dobson]

Does the Secretary of State—[Interruption.]

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I will have the question finished. I do not require any help from any Member.

[Frank Dobson]

Does the Secretary of State not recognise that pretending to produce a collaborative silk purse from a competitive pig’s ear will not work?