§ Mr. FrenchTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what plans he has(a) to appoint additional pensions ombudsmen on a regional basis and (b) to increase the resources allocated to the present pensions ombudsman;
(2) what plans he has to increase funding to the office of the pensions ombudsman.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to appoint additional pensions ombudsmen. Resources are allocated to the pensions ombudsman taking account of projected workloads and costs. These are reviewed from time to time as part of the normal process of reviewing public expenditure.