HC Deb 14 February 2001 vol 363 c305
12. Mr. David Amess (Southend, West)

If she will make a statement on her Department's role in co-ordinating the information relating to health in the Government's annual report. [148776]

The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Marjorie Mowlam)

rose

The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Ian McCartney)

rose

Marjorie Mowlam

The Government's annual report was produced by the strategic communications unit in the Prime Minister's office. Chapters on each section were written in collaboration with advisers from No. 10 and the relevant Departments. [Interruption.]

Mr. Speaker

Order. We cannot hear the right hon. Lady.

Marjorie Mowlam

Shall I read the answer again?

Mr. Speaker

Yes.

Marjorie Mowlam

The Government's annual report was produced by the strategic communications unit in the Prime Minister's office. Chapters o r each section were written in collaboration with advisers from No. 10 and the relevant Departments.

Mr. Amess

What a shambles of Government.

Rather than co-ordinate the misinformation on the health service, as contained in page 3 of the annual report, will the right hon. Lady consider co-ordinating exactly when the general public will receive appointments with consultants to diagnose their various problems? Will she consider co-ordination to ascertain where this rotten Government intend to find the staff to run the national health service?

Marjorie Mowlam

In terms of staff, the hon. Gentleman well knows that we are already recruiting more nurses and training more doctors. The situation is improving day by day. If he listened to the facts, he would not have to ask the question.