Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

As I was saying just as we were interrupted by the vote, it seems that the intention of the noble Lord, Lord Livsey, is to widen the commissioner’s powers and remit to ensure that the commissioner is able to take action to further the rights as well as the interests of older people in Wales. I think it would be good for me to say now that we believe that the term ““interests”” incorporates rights for the reasons I gave just before we suspended. However, we can see that it would be appropriate for us to consider this issue further. We shall therefore revisit it with parliamentary counsel in the light of your Lordships’ comments. I am very grateful to noble Lords for the points they make and I hope that that will be regarded as a satisfactory response.