HC Deb 08 December 1964 vol 703 cc1321-2
Q10. Mr. Lipton

asked the Prime Minister when he will appoint an Ombudsman.

Mr. George Brown

I have been asked to reply.

Not yet, Sir.

Mr. Lipton

Would my right hon. Friend, whom we all hold in high regard, agree, particularly in the light of recent cases affecting the police, that it is of the utmost importance that there should be an outside, independent person to deal with matters of this kind?

Mr. Brown

As it is 33 years since I first made a speech urging the hon. Member's return to Parliament, I take the first part of his remarks as a rather belated but a nevertheless welcome recognition. The answer to his supplementary question is, Yes, Sir, but I am not yet ready to announce an actual decision.

Mr. Robert Cooke

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider including in the terms of reference of this Ombudsman the provision of some sort of clearing house facilities for hon. Members so that they may address their letters on behalf of their constituents to the right Departments and be able to find their way through the mass of Bills, orders, leaks and so on and know the right Ministers to whom to address their remarks?

Mr. Brown

If the new Chief Whip opposite is not available, I am sure that my right hon. Friend will be.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Before the right hon. Gentleman comes to any decision on this matter, will he give the most careful consideration to the proposition put forward by a former learned Clerk of the House, Sir Edward Fellowes, for the setting up of a Select Committee designed to establish whether an abuse about which a grievance has been made was caused by faulty legislation or faulty administration?

Mr. Brown

We have this very much in mind. There are a whole range of questions to be discussed and some very real points for which we must try to make provision. As I say, these things are in mind.