1 Introduction
1. The proposal for the Regulatory Reform (Collaboration
etc. between Ombudsmen) Order 2007 was laid before the House by
the Cabinet Office on 18 December 2006. We published our report
on 15 March. The draft Order was laid before the House on 9 May,
together with an explanatory memorandum by the Cabinet Office.[1]
2. The aim of the proposed Order is to increase the
scope for collaborative working amongst three Ombudsmen (Parliamentary
Ombudsman, the Health Service Ombudsman and the Local Government
Ombudsman). To this end, the draft Order would amend the Parliamentary
Commissioner Act 1967, the Local Government Act 1974 and the Health
Service Commissioners Act 1993. The effect of the amendments would
be to permit the Ombudsmen to:
- undertake joint investigations
of complaints (consult with each other, share information and
produce joint reports);
- delegate functions to each other's staff if required
for the purpose of a joint investigation;
- appoint and pay a mediator or other appropriate
person to assist in relation to any complaint they are investigating;
and
- (in the case of the Local Government Ombudsman)
investigate a complaint that had not previously been notified
to the authority concerned where the Local Government Ombudsman
is convinced that no benefit would be achieved in requiring that
the case first be considered by the authority.
3. The House has instructed us to examine the draft
Order against such of the criteria specified in Standing Order
No. 141(6) as are relevant. We are also required to consider the
extent to which the responsible minister has had regard to any
resolutions or report of the Committee or to any other representations
made during the period for Parliamentary consideration.[2]
Our discussion of matters arising from our consideration is set
out below.
1 Copies of the draft Order and Explanatory Statement
are available to Members of Parliament from the Vote Office and
to members of the public from the Cabinet Office. The draft Order
is also available from the Cabinet Office website: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/reform/orders/proposals.asp Back
2
Standing Order No. 141(7) Back
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