HL Deb 10 May 2001 vol 625 cc1142-3
74 Page 74, line 7, after "67" insert "(1) and (2)"

The Commons disagreed to this amendment for the following reason—

74A Because it relates to provisions left out of the Bill by the Lords.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do not insist on their Amendment Nos. 73 and 74 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reasons numbered 73A and 74A. I beg to move.

Moved, That the House do not insist on their Amendments Nos. 73 and 74 to which the Commons have disagreed for their reasons numbered 73A and74A.—(Lord Hunt of Kings Heath.)

Baroness Northover

My Lords, we welcome the acceptance in the other place of the removal of subsections (1) and (2) of Clause 67 on anonymised patient data. There was always a danger that useful information for researchers would be lost if those measures were passed.

We also welcome the acceptance in the other place of the provisions on confidential data; in particular, the establishment of a statutory advisory committee, which we on these Benches originally proposed. Action needed to be taken now to strike the right balance between the rights of the patient to confidentiality and the public interest in medical research. Already there has been much damage to research and treatment because patient information has stopped going through to the disease registry.

I am grateful to the Minister for the time and care that he took to ensure that in that crucial area we could reach an agreement. We are therefore happy to accept these amendments.

On Question, Motion agreed to.