Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

The term ““relevant older people””—not a very attractive line—is the hook on which we hang our restriction of this provision to people who are 60 or more and who receive a service. This is because the Government are of the view that such arrangements exist largely in relation to the provision of a service. Amendment No. 46 would enable the commissioner to exercise his powers in respect of anyone aged 60 or over and ordinarily resident in Wales even if they are not in receipt of a service. This would have significant and undesirable capacity implications for the commissioner and neither the Government nor the Assembly would be happy with that. Amendments Nos. 55 and 53 seek to extend the definition of ““relevant older people”” to include those who have been assessed as requiring a regulated service but have yet to receive it. The commissioner is already able to deal with the issue of access to services for older people using his powers in other parts of the Bill. He could use his general powers in Clause 2, his power to review the discharge of functions in Clause 3 and his power to issue guidance in Clause 11. The Government—and, I am sure, the Assembly as well—agree strongly with the sentiments of these amendments but, given what is in the Bill, we do not consider that they are necessary.