On Monday the Health Service Medical Supplies Bill received its Second Reading The Bill aims to allow the Government to control the cost of unbranded generic drugs and ensure the government has the powers to collect the necessary information to correctly reimburse those who dispense medicine. The overall objective is to ensure that our NHS secures better value for money from the estimated £15.2 billion spent on medicines last year.
Yesterday the Criminal Finances Bill also received its Second Reading. The Bill amends the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002; makes it easier to seize the property of terrorists and creates new offences to cover cases where a person associated with a company or partnership facilitates the commission by another person of a tax evasion offence.
Both these Bills passed unopposed. As expected yesterday the Secretary of State for Transport announced there will be a new runway built at Heathrow and whilst I understand the necessary processes have to be followed I hope the project proceeds as quickly as possible.
David Nuttall 