§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) whether he will make it his policy that any company intending to open hospital or other care facilities in Wales shall have to show that it is not owned or controlled by individuals or corporate bodies which have previously(a) provided such facilities at a sub-standard level or (b) been involved in actions detrimental to public health; and if he will make it his policy to monitor such links even after the establishment of any such facilities;
(2) whether he will make it his policy to monitor the share ownership in any company operating hospital or care facilities in Wales in order to ensure that no major individual or corporate shareholder has a record of being directly or indirectly involved in the provision of 898W sub-standard facilities in the field of health or care nor a record of environmental pollution nor any other record of failure or neglect in regard to public health.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettIn addition to the arrangements for the statutory registration and inspection of nursing and residential care homes, contracts for health services and care packages will include quality specifications. It will be for purchasing authorities to insist upon and monitor standards. It will not be necessary for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to monitor share ownership as part of ensuring high quality services.
Environmental pollution and public health are separate matters which are monitored by the appropriate statutory authorities.