Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration

HC Deb 07 February 1985 vol 72 cc676-7W

Mr. Michael Forsyth

asked the hon. Member for Berwick upon Tweed, as representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will give details of the expected costs of the visit by the Select Committee on the Parliamentary Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand; and if he will explain its intended purpose.

Mr. Beith

The estimated costs of the visit are as followsAir travel—£10,692 Subsistence—£6,594

Provision in the estimate of up to £1,500 has also been made in the usual way for other contingent costs which may arise, in particular for local travel.

I understand that the purpose of the visit is to complete further inquiries into how appropriate are the restrictions placed upon the Parliamentary Commissioner's jurisdiction by the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, and in that connection to hold discussions with Commonwealth and State Ombudsmen, Parliamentarians and others about Ombudsman systems, with special reference to jurisdictional matters. The visit has been authorised by the Liaison Committee in accordance with the normal procedure.