§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement setting out the timetable for the merger of the National Care Standards Commission and the Commission for Health Improvement. [56610]
Jacqui Smith: Primary legislation will be required to establish the functions of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection which will bring together the work of the Commission for Heath Improvement, the independent healthcare functions of the National Care Standards Commission and the health value for money work of the Audit Commission.
We hope to introduce legislation as soon as possible.