NHS Reorganisation

Shall I finish what I have to say? Then I will give way. If the Health Secretary has not told the Prime Minister, he certainly has not told the public or this House, so let me spell it out—[Interruption.] The Health Secretary says that I have made it up, but why not wait for me to explain to the House, and then he can say whether what I am about to explain to the House is in my words or his? Clause 52 of the Health and Social Care Bill, entitled ““General duties””, sets up the new competition regulator, Monitor, and says:"““The main duty of Monitor in exercising its functions is to protect and promote the interests of people who use health care services—""(a) by promoting competition where appropriate, and""(b) through regulation where necessary.””" The new regulator is given legal competition powers, as well as functions under the Competition Act 1998 and the Enterprise Act 2002, and there are provisions on reviews by the Competition Commission and co-operation with the Office of Fair Trading.