Mr. R. Duckworthasked the Minister of Health whether he will state the number of local authorities which have introduced by-laws, and the number which have omitted to do so. under the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927; and whether complaints are still being received with regard to the existence of bogus nursing homes?
§ Sir K. WoodBy-laws under the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, have been made by 88 local supervising authorities in England and Wales and by 42 district councils to whom the necessary powers have been delegated. I regret that the information available is not sufficient to enable me to state the number of authorities who have not made by-laws. As regards the last part of the question, the few complaints received in my Department are normally referred to the local authorities who are responsible for the44W registration and inspection of nursing homes and to whom such complaints should properly be addressed.