§ Dr. WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the national health service bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to(a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open Government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [21834]
§ Mr. Richards[holding answer 21 March 1996]: All national health service bodies, as defined by the Cabinet Office, in Wales are subject to investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for Wales (ombudsman), and scrutiny by both the Audit Commissioner and the National Audit Office.
The principles of open government are incorporated in the code of practice on openness in the national health service with which all national health service bodies must comply. The principles of the citizens charter apply to national health service bodies and have been incorporated in the charter for patients in Wales. The Welsh Office Health Department monitors the performance of all national health service bodies in Wales.
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