CONDUCT OF BARON WARNER OF BROCKLEY AND PROPOSAL FOR NHS SUBSCRIPTION CHARGE

That this House totally rejects any proposal to charge a monthly membership premium to receive NHS services; believes that the £10 fee mooted by Lord Warner would, if implemented, not only damage the health of the nation's poorest people but would be yet another attempt at privatising the NHS by stealth; notes the noble Lord's track record of voting for this Government's privatisation proposals, his post as health minister in the Blair government which introduced foundation hospitals and his former role as a paid adviser to the General Healthcare Group, and that his private company presently advises a major German health provider with NHS contracts; and concludes that his Lordship is the last possible person from whom to take advice on the NHS.