---

Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 89:"Page 7, line 33, leave out ““, other than a private dwelling,””" The noble Lord said: This is an important matter about the ability of the commissioner to investigate abuse or ill-treatment within a private dwelling house. I know that it is a delicate matter, but we already have a precedent in domestic violence legislation for an outside body such as the police to interfere. Also adult protection committees within various council areas can obtain permission to enter a private dwelling house. If there is a case where a person is ill-treated, is it not reasonable that the commissioner, too, should have the authority to enter that private dwelling house? This is a probing amendment in order to ascertain the exact position. It is important that no person should be allowed to suffer in any way because of a restriction on what the commissioner is able to do. Similarly, in Amendment No. 92, it is clear that anyone who,"““refuses to allow the inspection of any premises, or refuses to allow the visiting, interviewing or examination of any person or refuses to produce any document or record””," will be guilty of the offence of obstruction. That is very clear; it speaks for itself. I beg to move.