NHS Redress Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 21:"Page 3, line 14, at end insert—" ““(   )   requiring proceedings under the scheme to be concluded within a fixed period of time, except in circumstances where an independent suitably qualified person considers this not to be reasonable.”” The noble Baroness said: I return to the issue of time scales and limitations of time. The two amendments in this group, Amendments Nos. 21 and 30, talk about the need to ensure that fixed time limits are agreed, preferably by a mutually appointed independent representative, as that is the best way of dealing with an application under the scheme. We believe that that would increase confidence on all sides in what is at heart a good measure. In Amendment No. 30 we are also seeking to establish that there should be time limits in the investigation and evidential stages leading up to the conclusion and acceptance of the scheme. My noble friend Lady Neuberger, who has far greater practical experience of these matters and of complaints systems than I, has already spoken about the extent to which matters are allowed to drag on. Given that these schemes are to be run and administered by trusts, if we had provisions such as these on time limits, it might be to the advantage of all concerned to ensure that there was no manipulation of relevant budgets throughout the financial year because, ultimately, there will be a limited amount of money within trusts from which these and all other matters have to be paid. So I think these amendments would assist those who have to deal with the consequences in planning how and when they deal with cases. I beg to move.