The decision was made, when the legislation was put together—in order to achieve effective delivery or effective compliance with the standards—to place that responsibility on the commissioner as a first point of call. The commissioner can respond quickly and effectively. They saw it as more appropriate that it would be the commissioner who dealt with cases in the first instance and who also sought compliance.
We have a model in Wales. We have commissioners in other areas. Their powers aren't as strong as mine. We have a tradition. We have a children's commissioner. We have an older people's commissioner. They would also have statutory powers as well. Mine are stronger. It's a model that we see as working, because there's also belief that a tribunal can be very impersonal, and that having reference to a single person, an independent commissioner, is a good model to secure justice.