Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Lab)

My Lords, I thank everyone who has taken part in this debate. It truly has shown this House at its best, with a combination of personal stories and incredible expertise on the subject—way beyond my level of knowledge. Everybody has played an important part in highlighting just how important this is. I particularly thank Members who have given personal stories, which are often very difficult and emotional to talk about. It not easy to do. I say that in particular to the noble Lord, Lord Patel, who has so recently been bereaved. I also highlight the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord O’Shaughnessy, because when Lady Jowell made that most moving and, in the circumstances, uplifting of speeches, standing not far from where he is sitting now, I was one of the Members of the House of Commons who came and stood at the Bar for the entirety of her contribution. It was one of the few times I came to the Bar to listen to things in this Chamber, but it is one that I shall never forget. That positivity is in this Bill because it is about hope to change things for the better. I also mention the contribution from the noble Lord, Lord Mendelsohn, who mentioned our friend Phil Woolas. I had the privilege of serving with him in the House of Commons for a short time, but I knew him long before that. We wish him, his wife Tracey, their entire family and his close friends well, as he battles the terrible situation he is in. The key message coming out of this Bill is the hope that it will give to people who are diagnosed with rare cancers and to their families and friends. At the moment, there is little hope for those people. I thank Dr Scott Arthur again, his staff and the charities that have got us to this point. We should leave here today with the hope that the Bill can really change things for the better.