§ 40. Mr. John Wells
§ Mr. BowdenA good deal of published material already exists about the number of cases dealt with by these officers in other countries. Any further information required by the House could be obtained 1702 and made available quite easily, and I do not think that a select committee is needed for the purpose.
§ Mr. WellsI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for offering to make this information available, by some means or other, which he has not indicated. May I ask him, when he does so, if he will take specific steps to see that those countries whose ombudsmen or similar officers have powers to inquire into local authorities or kindred matters as well as those of regional government, are included in the list, because there is a widespread feeling that the present proposals for this country, which do not include local government and nationalised industries, are just so much Socialist eye-wash?
§ Mr. BowdenI think that there will already be in the Library two, perhaps three, reports of the activities of the New Zealand ombudsman, and probably one from Scandinavia. I doubt whether there is anything yet available on the activities of ombudsmen in local authorities. I will have a look at that point.