Oral Answers to Questions

Kerry McCarthy Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Lansley]

I am interested to hear my hon. Friend’s experience. I certainly look forward to hearing more from him about it, and to taking it on board in considering how we respond to those obviously tragic victims.

[Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab)]

19. What assessment he has made of the effects of publishing his Department’s strategic risk register on his restructuring of the NHS.

[The Minister of State, Department of Health (Mr Simon Burns)]

Publishing the Department’s risk register would have implications beyond the Department of Health, and we are taking the time granted to us by the Information Commissioner before deciding whether to appeal against his decision requiring its release.

[Kerry McCarthy]

I think I thank the Minister for that response, which at least gives some indication of where the Government are coming from. But, given the widespread concern among the public about the risks posed by the Health and Social Care Bill, and given that the Information Commission has ruled that the register should be published, does the Minister not think that it should be published before Report stage in the House of Lords, so that at the very least the findings can be used to inform the amendments being tabled to rescue the Bill even at this late stage?