Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

As the noble Lord, Lord Livsey, has explained, he has tabled a series of amendments aimed at emphasising the need for the commissioner and his office in their duties to work towards the human rights and interests of older people. The human rights of various groups in society often come up in debate in our House. In fact, in legislation such as this it is important and almost unavoidable. While I agree with the principle and the reason behind the argument, I add one caution: the Human Rights Act does not give rights to everyone in equal measure. For example, Travellers currently have rights to settle, but local people do not necessarily have rights to protest against that settlement in equal measure. Therefore, I always urge caution in the use of the term ““human rights”” because of the knock-on effects that they can have on other people’s rights. I wonder whether the noble Lord has taken legal advice on this matter when he devised some of these amendments. I should be interested to hear. Of course, if the Government agree that this duty needs to be stated on the face of the Bill I shall certainly take further advice on this amendment before the next stage of the Bill.