Earl Howe (Con)

My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who spoke in this short debate and grateful for the support that they have expressed for the amendments, both mine and the others in this group. My noble friend Lady Berridge drew my attention to an inadvertent slip of the tongue that I committed in my earlier contribution. When I sought to define a child, I meant of course to say that we should include young people aged 16 and 17. In that regard, I was particularly grateful for the powerful interventions from the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Butler-Sloss, and the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley of Knighton, citing their own experiences. I much appreciate the Minister’s comments in response to these amendments, particularly Amendments 143 and 144. I believe, from what she said, that she and I are on the same page when it comes to age-appropriate settings for child patients. It was reassuring to hear from her what is contained in the current code of practice and what is intended to be included in the revised service specification. I am also pleased to hear that the CQC has it as part of its role to report on these very important issues. I will study what she has said in Hansard and consider what is best to do between now and Report, but, for now, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.