§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether it is his intention that the code of practice for private and voluntary residential homes, currently being investigated by a working party he has set up, will be incorporated in any regulations arising out of the Health and Social Services Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe do not intend to prescribe by regulations the code of practice for residential homes now being devised by the working party set up, with Government support, by the Centre for Policy on Ageing. We envisage that the National Assistance (Conduct of Homes) Regulations, S.I. 2000/1962 will continue to provide a statutory framework, but that within this framework a non-statutory code applied administratively 395W by local authorities in their registration and inspection of homes is the best way to cater for widely differing premises and for the diverse requirements of different groups such as the elderly, disabled or mentally disordered people, or handicapped children.