Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which Department holds lead responsibility for determining whether volunteer maritime search and rescue organisations are required to register with the Care Quality Commission; and which statutory provisions govern that responsibility.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is responsible for monitoring the impact of its regulatory activity through inspections, ratings, and ongoing assessment of providers.

The Department oversees the effectiveness of the legislative framework, including through statutory postimplementation reviews. The CQC is accountable to Parliament, with its performance and impact subject to scrutiny by select committees and independent reviews. Together, these arrangements ensure that both the delivery and effectiveness of regulation are regularly assessed.

Requirements to register with the CQC depend on whether an organisation is carrying on regulated activities in England. In certain circumstances, exemptions may apply, including where activities are carried out under the direction or control of a Government department.

The CQC is engaging with both land and maritime search and rescue teams to help minimise any impact to those services. The CQC recognises the urgency of this issue and is working to reach a confirmed position as soon as possible.