§ Lord Ashley of Stokeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What authority the Department of Health has to set aside the rule that guidance for the National Institute for Clinical Excellence should be implemented within three months. [HL4642]
§ Lord WarnerThe Secretary of State for Health has exercised the powers of direction in Sections 17 and 97C(8) of the National Health Service Act 1977 to require primary care trusts to make certain sums paid to them available for the implementation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidance in relation to technology appraisals within three months of the issuing of the guidance. The directions may be varied using the same powers.
A member of the senior Civil Service in the Department of Health signs such directions or amending directions with the authority of the Secretary of State for Health.