§ 2.40 p.m.
Lord WINSTANLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the recommendations of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Local Commissioners for Administration are implemented by the central and local Government Departments respectively concerned.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, it is the task of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Local Commissioners for Administration to investigate cases referred respectively by Members of Parliament and local councillors where a citizen believes he has suffered injustice as a consequence of maladministration. The Government believe that it should continue to be for individual Ministers, Departments and local authorities, in the exercise of the responsibilities for which they are answerable, to take full account of the findings of such investigations and decide on proper remedies where appropriate.
Lord WINSTANLEYMy Lords, I am most grateful for that Answer. Would not the noble Lord agree that the regular appearance of reports suggesting that the ombudsmen's advice has been ignored either by local or central Government Departments could in the end undermine public confidence in the whole scheme? Would he agree that, unless it is soon made clear that the ombudsmen really do have teeth, we might finish up with what the noble Lord, Lord Wade, once said—not with ombudsmen but ombudsmice.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, the noble Lord thanked me for my reply and assumed that he agreed with it. I think 890 if he looks at the cases he will agree the system is working quite well. We are anxious that it should be strengthened, but in the end it must be the responsibility of Members and local councillors to hold Ministers or local authorities to account.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, I wonder if I might ask the noble Lord the Leader of the House whether he would agree with the widespread feeling of most people interested in consumer affairs that the powers of the ombudsmen really do need to be widened. Is my noble friend aware that there is considerable feeling, certainly in another place, that the ombudsmen is too circumscribed? It would be most helpful if that matter could be looked into.
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is concerned that the local ombudsman system should work well, and he has said publicly that he would certainly consider any recommendation. If the noble Baroness has any positive suggestion, I would be only too pleased to convey her views to my right honourable friend.
§ Lord GARDINERMy Lords, has my noble friend yet had an opportunity to consider the report by Justice last week on the working of the ombudsman system?
§ Lord PEARTNo, my Lords, not yet.