---

Commissioner for Older People (Wales) Bill [HL]

I am grateful to my noble friend for making those points. I apologise if I have in any way misquoted him . I do not have the    information about the Northern Ireland commissioner, but I shall find out what the situation is and come back to him before the next committee stage on all the matters he has raised. The Bill already allows for the commissioner to do this in paragraph 19 of Schedule 1. The paragraph provides that the commissioner may do anything which is calculated to facilitate, or is conducive or incidental to, the discharge of his functions. This would include activities such as commissioning research or engaging expert advice and could be done in connection with any of the commissioner’s functions, not only those in Clause 2. Including such an express provision in the Bill where no express provision is required may call into question the extent of the commissioner’s power to undertake similar activities using his supplementary powers in Schedule 1. Amendment No. 25, which has been tabled by the noble Lord, Lord Livsey of Talgarth, seeks to give the commissioner a general power to work towards the elimination of elder abuse among older people in Wales. The Bill already ensures that the commissioner is able to work towards this aim. For example, the commission will be able to promote awareness of elder abuse and bring forward measures to eliminate such abuse through his general function in Clause 2 to,"““promote the provision of opportunities for, and the elimination of discrimination against, older people in Wales””." The commissioner will also have extensive powers to review the discharge of functions of key bodies and to review and monitor the operation of whistle-blowing arrangements.