§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister who investigates complaints about the Local Government Ombudsman; and by what means that body is accountable to Parliament. [113675]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Commission for Local Administration in England (the Local Government Ombudsman) is an independent statutory body with powers, set out in the Local Government Act 1974, to investigate complaints made by members of the public about maladministration by local authorities. Sections 28–32 of the Act set out the procedures which the Ombudsman must follow in carrying out his investigations. If an ombudsman fails to carry out his investigations in accordance with the provisions of the Act he may be challenged in the courts.
Funding for the Commission is provided through a deduction from Revenue Support Grant, which is approved by the House of Commons. The National Audit Office has access to the accounts of the Commission.