NHS (60th Anniversary)

When I have made a little progress. We do so entirely in the spirit in which the national health service was created. I shall let the House have a quotation:"““The discoveries of healing science must be the inheritance of all. That is clear. Disease must be attacked, whether it occurs in the poorest or the richest man or woman simply on the ground that it is the enemy; and it must be attacked just in the same way as the fire brigade will give its full assistance to the humblest cottage as readily as to the most important mansion… Our policy is to create a national health service in order to ensure that everybody in the country, irrespective of means, age, sex, or occupation, shall have equal opportunities to benefit from the best and most up-to-date medical and allied services available.””" The Prime Minister of the day, Winston Churchill, said that on 2 March 1944, anticipating the establishment of a national health service. In a spirit of consensus, I will acknowledge that the NHS was inspired by the work of a Liberal, William Beveridge, designed by a Conservative, Henry Willink, and implemented by a socialist, Aneurin Bevan. [Hon. Members: ““Oh!””] I was talking to a nurse; my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr. Cameron) and I have met a number of—[Interruption.] Is the hon. Member for Livingston (Mr. Devine) seeking to intervene?