D Little wrote:"They are independent of government and are so in-depth, hearing from such a wide range of experts and interested parties, that they can run on for several years.
Unfortunately David this is the only way forward. Any attempt at reform by any party will be politicised by opposition parties. We are at such a state with our new secular religion, worship of an NHS which is half myth, that closing down even the most inefficient, expensive and unnecessary department anywhere in the UK would be met with column inches of press coverage and protest from locals.