Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

The intention of the amendment is to place a requirement on the face of the Bill for the commissioner to publish a report following the discharge of his powers in Clause 3. The commissioner should be able to make such reports where he or she considers it appropriate, and this will be provided for in regulations to be made pursuant to Clause 14 of the Bill. Clause 14 provides for regulations enabling the commissioner to make and publish a report following the discharge of any of his functions, except that of making a representation to the Assembly about non-devolved matters. It is intended that the regulations made pursuant to Clause 14 will specify the contents of the report, the persons to whom copies should be sent and any further action which the commissioner is required or permitted to take after making a report. The Assembly’s view, with which the Government agree, is that it might not always be necessary or appropriate for the commissioner to produce a report following the discharge of a function. Consequently it is intended that the regulations will give the commissioner discretion in this matter. It would be contrary, therefore, to Clause 14, which allows for the making of all reports following the discharge of functions to be dealt with by way of regulations, to place a requirement on the face of the Bill that, in respect of Clause 3 only, the commissioner must make a report following the discharge of his functions under that clause. I hope that my explanation satisfies the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Llandudno, and I ask him to withdraw his amendment.