Health Bill

I thank the Minister for that answer. Out there and right now trusts are facing deficits amounting to several million pounds and they have been told to make those deficits up within the next financial year. In that context, the management of services within individual hospitals becomes a matter of priority. Part of the reason for asking this question is to try to establish what priority the Government give this programme and therefore what priority it is likely to be given by those trusts that are in severe financial straits. While I take the point made by the Minister about incentives, if, for example, trusts are to start to develop screening programmes and so on, inevitably there will be costs attached. It is not easy to see how some elements of this good practice can become standard in the near future, and that carries associated risks for patients. However, I think that we have had a useful debate and I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendment No. 63 not moved.] Clause 16 agreed to. Clause 17 [Accountable officers and their responsibilities as to controlled drugs]: