Strategic Health Authorities (Establishment and Abolition) (England) Order

I am grateful for the chance to discuss this important matter, which might not have arisen had the previous business run to the moment of interruption. An important question must be asked of Ministers on the Treasury Bench, who do not include a Health Minister—[Interruption.] I see the Minister of State, Department of Health, the hon. Member for Don Valley (Caroline Flint), running to take her place. I welcome her to the debate. I hope that she is considerably more briefed on the statutory instrument than I have had the opportunity to be. The statutory instrument was laid before the House on 2 June this year, when Parliament was sitting and capable of dealing with it. The arrangements that the order implements were put into practical effect—came into force—on 1 July, when the House was still sitting. The question is, why are we faced this evening with a statutory instrument that was laid before the House on 2 June? I am sure that the Minister will be able to explain the reason.