Health Bill [HL]

I am aware of the time. We have spent over an hour debating the important amendment proposed by my noble friend, and we are now on the seventh day of Committee. Some Members of the Committee will no doubt remember that I tried to persuade Her Majesty’s Government that this amendment had great merit during the last Health Bill in 2006. I am introducing it again for the same reasons as last time. It would simply greatly encourage individuals and companies to invest in private medical insurance, which in turn—this is the important part—would greatly reduce the National Health Service waiting lists. That is the sole purpose of the amendment. If the proposed EC working hours directive becomes law, it will be even more difficult to dramatically reduce the waiting lists. This amendment would greatly help. For that reason, I beg to move.