§ Barbara FollettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the priorities of the Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals relating to the harmonisation of regulatory systems across the professions. [11582]
§ Mr. HuttonFollowing publication of the Kennedy report that the "regulatory bodies be brought under the overall leadership of one overarching body", a public consultation was held on the establishment of a new Council for the Regulation of Healthcare Professionals which ended on 30 September. Legislation on establishing the new Council will be published shortly. We intend that the Council will be independent of the Government and it will be for the Council itself and not Ministers to take decisions on its priorities.