CONSERVATIVE
New Forest East

HEALTH – MIXED SEX WARDS - 07 February 2006

HEALTH – MIXED SEX WARDS - 07 February 2006

Dr Julian Lewis: The Hon. Gentleman [Steve Webb] will recall that he entered the House in the same year as I did –  1997 – and that having come second in the ballot for private Member's Bills, I introduced a Bill on Mental Health Services. I am grateful for the strong support that I received from the Liberal Democrats at that time, so the Hon. Gentleman should be aware that there is a tradition among Conservatives of being concerned about these matters. I did not hear the Minister say anything about the abolition of mixed sex wards, which was an interest that the Hon. Gentleman and I had in common. Is he aware of what progress has been made, and will he put that to the Minister?

[Steve Webb: I am happy to pay tribute to the Hon. Gentleman's personal record on these matters.]