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Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

moved Amendment No. 95:"Page 8, line 12, at end insert ““and about the publication of such reports””" The noble Lord said: This is a probing amendment. The justification of the amendment lies in the importance of the act of publication. There should be openness about the report because its significance and its message may range far beyond those immediately concerned with a case, such as the complainant, his family, the provider of services and its staff. It may be an important report for all who are concerned with providing care for the elderly or who are receiving such care. Publication ensures that we are all better informed about the quality of existing services and how they are capable of being improved. In Committee on 18 October there was a discussion in relation to Amendment No. 32, which had been tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Roberts of Llandudno. During the course of that debate, the Minister said:"““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””.—[Official Report, 18/10/05; col. GC 230.]" I have looked through the Bill, but I cannot see that Clause 14 empowers the commissioner to publish a report. There is therefore a gap in the Bill. I have seen no provision elsewhere in the Bill that would authorise the commissioner to publish his report, unless my noble friend will say that to make a report means also to publish a report. I beg to move.