Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Thomas of Gresford, was quite right in saying that there are two very separate subjects within this group of three amendments. Amendment No. 6, which I moved, deals specifically with the interpretation of the commissioner’s function in keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law affecting the interests of older people in Wales. What concerned me—a concern shared, I think, by the noble Lord, Lord Prys-Davies, in Committee—was precisely what was meant by the process of checking on the effectiveness of law. We now know that if Amendment No. 6 were to be implemented, it would give the commissioner a narrower power and he would not be able to look as closely as the Government would wish him to at proposed legislation. The Minister has given us precedents for commissioners looking at proposed legislative developments and I accept the point that he made. At the same time, I wish to stress how important it is that the commissioner should be able to check thoroughly the effectiveness of the operation of the law, in so far as the interests of older people are concerned. That means law and its practice in Wales. The other two amendments, tabled by the Liberal Democrats, deal with the scope of the commissioner’s powers and, personally, I do not think that one can have one’s cake and eat it. The commissioner is very much an appointment of the Assembly and an employee of the Assembly; his office is financed by the Assembly. Therefore, it is understandable that this Bill should confine his functions and his powers to areas in which the Assembly also has functions. I am sure that this is not the last time that we shall be debating this issue. Nevertheless, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.