Health and Social Care Bill

Yes, my Lords, absolutely. I read that with great interest following my noble friend’s speech. However, of course it is still liable to be one-way traffic in terms of healthcare, HealthWatch being the demandeur, rather than being asked by Monitor to provide its advice at the very early stage. So it is not always possible for HealthWatch to know what is in train within the bowels of Monitor, if I may say so, and it will be up to HealthWatch to be extremely nimble in order to divine what is happening within the councils of Monitor, if I may put it that way. I therefore take the Minister’s reply to be a rather less than whole-hearted endorsement of the role of HealthWatch. That may not be the right interpretation, but it seems a bit strange to be a bit mealy mouthed about HealthWatch when it is actually being created by this Bill. However, I will wait as matters unfold. No doubt we will get to Clause 178 in due course, and I look forward to it. In the mean time, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. Amendment 267ZF withdrawn. Amendments 267A to 268 not moved. Amendment 268ZA had been withdrawn from the Marshalled List. Amendments 268A and 268B not moved. Clause 59 agreed. Clause 60 : General duties: supplementary Clause 60 : General duties: supplementary Amendment 269 not moved. Clause 60 agreed. Clause 61 : Power to give Monitor functions relating to adult social care services Clause 61 : Power to give Monitor functions relating to adult social care services Amendment 269A not moved. Clause 61 agreed. Amendment 269B not moved. Clause 62 : Matters to have regard to in exercise of functions Clause 62 : Matters to have regard to in exercise of functions Amendment 270 not moved. Amendment 270A Moved by