HC Deb 22 January 2004 vol 416 cc1424-5W
Sandra Gidley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been commissioned by the National Care Standards Commission to inspect care homes for the elderly; and what the full-time equivalent is. [149797]

Dr. Ladyman

The National Care Standards Commission (NCSC) does not commission inspectors or inspections. It fulfils its statutory inspection duty by employing 1,501 inspectors. This is the full-time equivalent of 1,414 people. In addition, the NCSC employs 79 locums.