§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what powers will be afforded the Housing Association Tenants Ombudsman for Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe main role of the independent Housing Association Tenants Ombudsman for Scotland, to be appointed by Scottish Homes with effect from 1 December, will be to investigatge complaints from individual tenants covering allegations of maladministration in all registered housing associations in Scotland. The appointment will be non-statutory, and the Ombudsman himself will have no specific powers, but findings in favour of tenants can be followed up by Scottish Homes under its existing powers of supervision. The non-statutory basis of the appointment will be kept under review.