Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

As we have heard, Amendment No. 70 would make provision for conditions to be imposed on the giving of assistance by the commissioner to an older person. The Government and the Assembly agree with the purpose of the amendment, and we have included such a provision in the Bill. Clause 8(5) makes provision for the Assembly to specify in regulations conditions subject to which assistance may be provided. It may not give the detail that the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Conwy, requires, but the commitment is there. Given that, we do not feel that it is necessary to amend the Bill in the way that the noble Lord has suggested. The noble Lord asked what conditions the commissioner might set for the giving of assistance. The commissioner will need to be selective and consider cases in which there are wider matters of concern at stake or where precedents are being set. We do not envisage that this would present a significant case load for the commissioner. This will be an operational matter for the commissioner to consider, once appointed. The commissioner, when established, will need to draw up an assistance scheme that details the rules, procedures and guidance for those seeking help, including the qualifying criteria on repayments. These will be operational matters for the commissioner to take on board after the appointment. My guess is that they will satisfy the noble Lord, Lord Roberts, in terms of their detail and scope.