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Health and Social Care Bill

That is not my understanding, but I shall look at that to determine whether we are talking about the same issue. As I have already said, the commission may undertake any investigation, regardless of whether it is in the proposed programme. As well as carrying out reviews, the commission will inspect providers for compliance with the registration requirements. We recognise that in most instances, the commission will be best placed to decide how often it carries out inspections to assess compliance, who should carry them out and how they should be carried out. Different approaches to inspection may be required for different services or different issues. However, as we stated in the delegated powers memorandum, we believe that it is appropriate to make provision for the Secretary of State to be able to prescribe how certain inspections are to be carried out in particular circumstances. This might be to ensure that the assessment of compliance is consistent with government policy and priorities. We envisage that in the majority of cases the commission and the Secretary of State will agree these matters jointly. The provisions debated here are intended to ensure transparency and coherence for service users, patients and the public, as well as providers, and to minimise the burden on providers. I agree wholeheartedly that to be effective, the new commission must be able to act independently. Clause 43 refers to the frequency of reviews, not the reports themselves. I can see where the confusion has arisen and I shall seek to clarify that to make sure that we are correct and on the same page on that issue. Following my explanation of how the Bill has been drafted to set out the appropriate balance of independence, I hope that the noble Baroness feels able to withdraw the amendment.