§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to ensure that persons with criminal convictions do not run residential homes for the elderly and disabled.
§ Dame Jill KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he now intends to take to ensure that persons with a criminal record are not knowingly engaged in supervising and managing old persons' homes.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Government have decided, with the agreement of the Association of Chief Police Officers, to make arrangements for registration authorities to be able to obtain from the police details of any conviction recorded against a potential owner or manager of a residential care or nursing home. The arrangements will be similar to those already operating for the protection of children. They will cover both local authority and registered homes; and will apply to small homes once those homes are brought under regulatory control. Our aim is to bring the scheme into operation by 1 April 1991.
In addition, regulations will be made under the Registered Homes Act so that applicants for registration will be required by law to disclose any previous conviction. Where checks are made the individuals concerned will be notified if police records differ from the information supplied by them.