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Adults with Learning Disabilities

On the same issue, but at a slight tangent, the Minister referred to section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998, and a key issue is what we mean by "public authority". My hon. Friend will be aware of the continuing debate about that, which will result in a one-off measure for old people's homes, but the issue will remain at large for the wider privatised/contracted-out public services, particularly social services, in which there has been increasing private provision. One concern that my Committee has raised on several other occasions and which will be addressed in my private Member's Bill is that we must ensure that those who provide public services through private means or systems are covered by the 1998 Act to enable that direct enforceability for any breach of the Act.