Health and Social Care Bill

My Lords, we could all be tripped up at this late hour, as, indeed, I was earlier. However, it is a question of what it is possible for the body that is judging the merits of a merger in competition terms to take into account. The reason for including the public interest considerations in the amendment was that the OFT would be extremely limited in the patient considerations that it would be able to take into account. The noble Baroness was pretty sanguine about that. There is still further work to be done in that respect and further consideration needs to be given to the matter. It seems to me that, if nothing else, the question of whether one’s local trust and local foundation hospital will survive as entities is of huge importance to local people and is something that needs to be judged properly with their benefit in mind when the time comes. Unless I divine that my noble friend is going to give me further guidance or inspiration, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment 278G withdrawn. Clause 75 agreed. Amendment 278H not moved. Clause 76 : Reviews by the Competition Commission Clause 76 : Reviews by the Competition Commission Amendments 278J and 278K not moved. Clause 76 agreed. Clause 77 agreed. Clause 78 : Reviews under section 76: considerations relevant to publication Amendment 278L Clause 78 : Reviews under section 76: considerations relevant to publication Amendment 278L Moved by