§ Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the offices of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the Health Service Commissioner for England, for Scotland, and for Wales.
§ The Prime MinisterSir Idwal Pugh has requested Her Majesty to relieve him of these offices on 2nd January 1979, and Her Majesty has graciously indicated her willingness to accede to his request.
I am sure that all Members of the House would wish me to pay tribute to the work of Sir Idwal Pugh. As the third Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration and the second Health Service Commissioner, he has made a major contribution to the effectiveness of these offices.
On this occasion, his successor is to be drawn from outside the Civil Service. Her Majesty has been pleased to approve 131W the appointment of Mr. C. M. Clothier, Q.C., as Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, and Health Service Commissioner for England, for Scotland, and for Wales, with effect from 3rd January 1979.
On the establishment of a Scottish Assembly under the Scotland Act 1978, the Parliamentary Commissioner is to be given responsibility for the investigation of complaints against the Assembly, pending the making by the Assembly of other arrangements. The Assembly is to assume immediate responsibility for the complaints machinery in the National Health Service in Scotland, but the post of Health Service Commissioner for Scotland will continue unless changed by legislation. On the establishment of a Welsh Assembly under the Wales Act 1978, the Parliamentary Commissioner is to be given responsibility for the investigation of complaints against the Assembly, while the Health Service Commissioner for Wales will continue to investigate complaints about the NHS.