Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 32:"Page 7, line 42, at end insert—" ““(   )   interview the older person in private in the presence of an independent advocate.”” The noble Lord said: This amendment arises from submissions by the Law Society and Age Concern. Age Concern is worried that people interviewed in their own homes could be under undue influence from members of the family or others in the home. It wants the person who has called for someone to intervene in a nursing home or residential home to be able to have an advocate appointed—someone who can be independent of any allegation of abuse or ill treatment. This amendment should be made to the Bill. Age Concern is worried that an elderly person might depend on a care worker or family member and might be reluctant or afraid to offend that family member. Pressure might be brought to bear—intentionally or unintentionally—on the older person not to consent to an interview in private. Age Concern suggests that there should never be any case where an older person is unable to shout for help or make his situation known to others. So, as with the organisations that have submitted their evidence, we ask that wherever there is an interview with an older person there is always the opportunity for an independent advocate to be present. I beg to move.