15.Section 2 enables the Scottish Ministers by regulations to determine what is and what is not to be regarded as accommodation chargeable under the 1968 Act and hence under the 1948 Act. The definition also applies (by virtue of section 19) to the definition of social care, which applies to the charging provisions under section 1 of the Act.
16.Accommodation provided under the 1968 Act and section 7 of the 1984 Act comprises more than simply board and lodgings. In general, what is provided is a wider package of residential care which includes both the board and lodging element of accommodation and the social care aspect of accommodation. At present, the provision of the whole package is charged for under the 1968 Act, which applies the charging provisions of the 1948 Act. To enable implementation of free personal care, it is necessary to separate out the social care element from the board and lodging element in the provision of accommodation – and so in the provision of the residential care package.
17.Section 2 of the Act enables the Scottish Ministers by regulations, therefore, to determine what elements of the package will remain subject to the charging provisions of the 1968 and 1948 Acts, and what elements will not, being subject instead to section 1 of the Act and regulations made under it. Those regulations can only affect charging and will not affect the definition of accommodation for the purposes of provision of services under the 1968 Act or section 7 of the 1984 Act.