NHS Commissioning Board

Kevin Barron Excerpts
Tuesday 5th March 2013

(11 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Norman Lamb Portrait Norman Lamb
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We will make absolutely sure that the amended regulations meet faithfully the commitments given in the Upper House during the passage of the Bill, and in the letter sent to clinical commissioning groups by the former Secretary of State following the legislation.

Kevin Barron Portrait Mr Kevin Barron (Rother Valley) (Lab)
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During the passage of the Health and Social Care Bill, the Government withdrew clauses that promoted competition and replaced them with clauses that would prevent anti-competitive behaviour. I never understood that at the time. Is it not the case that compulsory competitive tendering is the intention of the regulations and the intention of the original Act?

Norman Lamb Portrait Norman Lamb
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The right hon. Gentleman’s own Government had guidance in place precisely to address anti-competitive behaviour. Let me again reiterate that these regulations will not introduce compulsory competitive tendering. The amendments that we will table will make it absolutely clear that the power rests with clinical commissioning groups, and not with the Government, Monitor or anyone else.