Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill

We may have had our first champagne moment, given that we all agree—and my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government says that he is buying. Perhaps hon. Members misunderstand the new clause’s intention. It has not been introduced in the spirit of party political advantage—it is the right thing to do to devolve power. The complexion of an authority—whether the Welsh Assembly Government or local authorities, which later provisions cover—is not relevant to the spirit of devolution that we are promoting today. I am grateful for the support of hon. Members of different parties. The hon. Member for North-East Bedfordshire (Alistair Burt) mentioned explanatory notes. Much of the content of the measure and the amendments that the Government are introducing today are responses to discussions in Committee. As we go through the Bill, hon. Members will note the Government’s enormous effort to respond to our wide-ranging and positive debate. That has inevitably delayed some of the explanatory notes. However, I assure the hon. Gentleman that the delay is the result of the spirit of co-operation. Question put and agreed to. Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.