Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

I am getting rather worried by some of the expressions used and by the attitude expressed by the Minister. I was first alerted by his resistance to the term ““shall”” as opposed to ““may”” in the earlier amendment moved by the noble Lord, Lord Livsey, relating to the functions of the commissioner. In that case, I had hoped that the Minister would have said that, although the Bill states ““may””, in effect it would mean that the commissioner would indeed perform his functions and would regard them as obligatory. Now some doubt is creeping in about the best interests of older people. This is not an area where we are happy to see doubt expressed. We all understand that ““best interests”” is a subjective matter; however you describe them—whether it is ““best interests”” or whether you use the word ““good”” and so on—it is still very much a subjective area. The whole issue of safeguarding is also subjective. So, although I am content to withdraw my amendment for the time being, I give notice that this area is causing us some concern. We want to see the best form of words used in the Bill so that the Act that follows will give genuine reassurance to older people in Wales that they may look to the commissioner to promote their best interests and safeguard them. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.