Debates between Jeremy Hunt and Simon Danczuk during the 2010-2015 Parliament

NHS Investigations (Jimmy Savile)

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Simon Danczuk
Thursday 26th June 2014

(10 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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That is absolutely right. Celebrities have never been above the law of the land, but what is clear from the report is that even though that is the case legally, in practical terms they were above the law because they were able to get away with things for a very long time that ordinary people would not have been able to get away with. That is why this is such a big moment of reflection for us. I know that everyone in the House will want to think hard about what we need to do to change that culture.

Simon Danczuk Portrait Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab)
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We know that Savile was well regarded by many politicians; by way of example, he was friends with Cyril Smith and appeared in a Liberal party political broadcast in the 1970s, and had friends in high places. Surely an overarching inquiry into child sex abuse would help us to understand the political networks to which Savile belonged.

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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I know that the hon. Gentleman has campaigned a lot on these issues. We have not ruled out anything, but we want first to draw together the lessons for the NHS and across Government as quickly as possible. One of the important benefits of the way in which we have proceeded so far is that, because it is an investigation and not a public inquiry, we can get to the truth relatively quickly. However, we will certainly look at the cross-governmental lessons.


Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Jeremy Hunt and Simon Danczuk
Tuesday 26th November 2013

(10 years, 12 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Simon Danczuk Portrait Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Lab)
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T1. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Jeremy Hunt Portrait The Secretary of State for Health (Mr Jeremy Hunt)
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I need to correct the record. In the House on 30 October, I said that it took 21 minutes longer for the average person to be seen in A and E under the previous Government—a figure that was repeated by the Prime Minister in Prime Minister’s questions. My Department made a statistical mistake: it turns out that under Labour, the average person took not 21 but 44 minutes longer to be seen. I apologise for underestimating the improvements made under this Government.

Simon Danczuk Portrait Simon Danczuk
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When people have mental health problems, waiting too long for talking therapies can lead to poor recovery, relationships falling apart, and job loss. What progress has the Minister made in establishing and delivering maximum waiting times for talking therapies?

Jeremy Hunt Portrait Mr Hunt
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The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: this is a big priority for the Government. We are a big fan of talking therapies. We have taken huge strides in improving take-up, but there is still a long way to go, and we are looking at introducing access standards, so that there is a maximum time beyond which no one has to wait.