Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 May 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 May 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the Answer of 18th April, 383 c1179-80W, what complex issues in the healthcare aspects of the protection of vulnerable adults scheme have caused the delay in implementation.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 18 April 2002, Official Report, column 1179-80W, what complex issues in the health care aspects of the protection of vulnerable adults scheme have caused the delay in implementation. [57090] Jacqui Smith: The Care Standards Act, which sets out the legal basis for the protection of vulnerable adults scheme, defines `vulnerable adult' in terms of the `services' received. These services are to be prescribed in regulations and it has been important to ensure that as many vulnerable adults as possible are protected within the legal framework of the Care Standards Act 2000.

Secondary information