To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms exist to safeguard the interests of elderly residents of residential and nursing homes.

The Registered Homes Act 1984 and associated regulations place the responsibility on local authorities and district health authorities as registering authorities to register private and voluntary residential care homes and nursing homes respectively and inspect them at least twice a year; the inspections may be unannounced and "out of hours". In addition, general guidance on the running of these homes is available in "Home Life" a code of practice for residential care, and the National Association of Health Authorities' "Handbook on Registration and Inspection of Nursing Homes", and in departmental guidance. Local authorities are also responsible for ensuring adequate standards in their own homes. The Department's social services inspectorate monitors and advises local authorities on the discharge of their duties.