Oral Answers to Questions

Jim Shannon Excerpts
Tuesday 18th October 2011

(12 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Simon Burns Portrait Mr Burns
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My hon. Friend raises an important and controversial issue, as he will have heard when listening to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State earlier and the debates that he has attended in the House on this subject. We are determined that proper facilities will be made available, based not on money but on the high quality of care, particularly for children. An independent review is being carried out by the joint committee of primary care trusts, which is expected to announce its recommendations later this year.

Jim Shannon Portrait Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
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Has the Minister considered exchanging expertise with the regions of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales? That exchange could take place without any charge.

Simon Burns Portrait Mr Burns
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The hon. Gentleman raises a valid point. The NHS in England has regular contact and discussions with the NHS in other parts of the United Kingdom, and will continue to do so because both the UK and the devolved authorities can learn a considerable amount from sharing views and practice.