HC Deb 18 April 1995 vol 258 cc12-3
13. Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what safeguards exist to ensure proper standards of domiciliary care. [Interruption.] [17566]

Mr. Tony Banks

Come on—one of you answer.

Mr. Bowis

I apologise; the hon. Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Wray) has moved.

There are codes of practice and contract terms for the independent sector, and there are complaint procedures for council-run services. These are supported by social services inspectorate guidance on standards, and from next April by local community care charters.

Mr. Wray

No. 13—unlucky for some.

Does the Minister agree that nursing and residential care are covered by the Registered Homes Act 1984 but that domiciliary care is a licence for abuse? Why will not the Minister implement the proposals made by my hon. Friend the Member for Wakefield (Mr. Hinchliffe) to bring domiciliary care under local authority control?

Mr. Bowis

The hon. Gentleman is a shadow of his former self.

Considerable safeguards apply to domiciliary care. When local authorities contract for such care, they can include in the terms of their contracts the conditions and standards that they wish to see. There are many voluntary inspection and regulation systems and codes of practice for independent agencies and groups of contractors around the country. We have issued standards for domiciliary services which we will review in the overall review of inspection to be undertaken this year.

Madam Speaker

I call Jane Kennedy for Question 14. [Interruption.] The hon. Lady is not present. I call Mr. O'Hara for Question 15. [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman is not present. I call Mr. Streeter for Question 16. [Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman is not present. I hope that Whips on both sides of the House will note that those hon. Members are absent, and that the Ministers concerned and I will receive an apology from them before the day is out.