§ 38. Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many constituency visits he has made concerning open government.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNone.
§ Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps he has taken to ensure that the ombudsman has the resources necessary to discharge his functions under the code of practice on open government.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is important that the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration should be properly resourced to oversee the implementation of the code of practice. Subject to parliamentary approval, the PCA's current provision is planned to be increased by 14.75 per cent. in 1993–94 and then an additional 85.5 per cent. in 1994–95. This increased provision, which has been broadly carried forward into 1995–96 and 1996–97 as part of the 1993 public expenditure survey, also covers additional staff, their accommodation and administrative costs to match the increasing work loads for the PCA and health service commissioners as more complaints are being referred by MPs and received direct from members of the public.