Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

There is a cart before the horse scenario there. I refer to Amendment No. 24, which states that the commissioner may,"““encourage public bodies to take into account the United Nations Principles on Older People””." Clause 18 states:"““In considering, for the purposes of this Act, what constitutes the interests of older people in Wales, the Commissioner must have regard to the United Nations Principles for Older Persons adopted by the General Assembly””." So the commissioner already has that ability in the Bill. All that Amendment No. 24 does is to encourage public bodies, which are listed in the Bill, to take account of the United Nations Principles on Older People. I shall read three short paragraphs from those principles. The first is:"““Appreciating the tremendous diversity in the situation of older persons, not only between countries but within countries and between individuals, which requires a variety of policy responses””." Clearly public bodies ought to take account of that. The second is:"““Convinced that in a world characterized by an increasing number and proportion of older persons, opportunities must be provided for willing and capable older persons to participate in and contribute to the ongoing activities of society””." There is a hint of some rights there. Finally,"““Mindful that the strains on family life in both developed and developing countries require support for those providing care to frail older persons””." I think that there is a duty on public bodies to take account of that. Amendment No. 24 is very acceptable in that context.