Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

Before we begin, I draw the attention of the Committee to a report in a Welsh newspaper that appeared after the first day of our Committee proceedings. It was headlined:"““The Commissioner will be toothless””." I am sure that noble Lords will agree that that is rather tactless in the circumstances. The amendment would place on the commissioner an obligation to produce an annual report on the results of his work and on the Assembly or other appropriate person to publish a response to that report within six months. I am happy to reassure noble Lords that the Assembly intends to make regulations to that effect under the power set out in paragraph 8 of Schedule 1. We take the point that other commissioners have to do it and, along with the Assembly, we agree that it should also happen here.