Health Bill

I think that I could take those ideas away to consider for the Report stage and I am grateful to the Minister for his detailed remarks. I would simply say to him that there is consultation and there is consultation. Of course it is reassuring to know that at least some consultation will take place, and that the Government do not intend to set unreasonable fees. Indeed, I hope that they would never do that. But what one sometimes sees when fees of this kind are subject to statutory instrument and therefore scrutiny as they pass through Parliament, is that hikes in fees—sudden rises—are made apparent. Where they do occur, they can give rise to comment, and quite right too. It is on those sorts of occasions that I believe Parliament should be allowed to have its say. While I hear what the Minister says about directions being less bureaucratic, that is an argument made more from expediency than anything else. I am not sure that I place great emphasis on it. However, between now and the Report stage I shall cogitate on the pros and cons of the arguments he has advanced. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. [Amendments Nos. 84 and 85 not moved.] Clause 33 agreed to. Clause 34 [Applications for provision of pharmaceutical services]; [Amendment No. 86 not moved.]