Health Bill [HL]

My Lords, I am glad that the noble Baroness, Lady Tonge, made the remark at the end of her intervention about the Government’s position on overseas aid and development. The commitment of the Prime Minister while he was Chancellor was exemplary. The whole Government have followed in tune and we have reached a stage where, as far as I can see, no major political party will go into the next general election without a determination to maintain that tradition. This is a transformation, and I say that as a former overseas development Minister; it was certainly not the case in my time. Behind all this is not just technical theory, but compassion. It is extraordinary that a Government who have shown so much spirit of compassion in this context are still dragging their feet on this issue. I hope that even at the eleventh hour plus, my noble friend may feel able to respond in a positive way to meet the arguments that have been put forward. I can sum this up quite simply. I put the points in no particular order of priority, but, first, there is the stress caused to the medical profession. Many members of the profession feel deeply unhappy about the situation in which they find themselves. Of course, as the noble Baroness argued, it should be a clinical decision. When I was on the Joint Committee on Human Rights, which was a little while ago now, we heard direct evidence of the administration intervening when clinical teams were treating a patient and the treatment had to stop. There is evidence on the record of the medical profession being thwarted in its commitment. Secondly, the situation is counterproductive and illogical because, as the noble Baroness argued, if you wait until there is an emergency the costs may be much higher in the long run than if you had intervened effectively at an earlier stage. Thirdly, it seems to me that on HIV, we are failing to fulfil our specific international obligations under conventions. It also seems to me—this point has been covered—that we are putting our own population at risk in some instances by not treating these issues properly. The present situation is totally unacceptable. We have to put it right. There have been indications from the Government that they intend to put something better in place. I am sure that what the noble Baronesses, Lady Stern and Lady Tonge, have argued this evening is right, that this is urgent and should be in the Bill. Even at this stage I hope my noble friend is able to respond.