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Written question asked by Andrew Gwynne (Labour) on Monday, 6 February 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 February 2017. It was answered by Ben Gummer (Conservative) on Tuesday, 14 February 2017 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department plans to converge services undertaken by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman with the Local Government Ombudsman.

Answer

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman is independent of Government. It publishes information on staffing and its performance in its Annual Report and Resource Accounts which are laid before Parliament. Operational decisions on the location of PHSO offices are also matters for the Ombudsman and the Hon. Member should write to the Ombudsman on these matters.

The Government published the draft Public Service Ombudsman Bill in December 2016, setting out in detail its plans to introduce a new Public Service Ombudsman. The proposals contained in the draft Bill seek to bring together the responsibilities of the current Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman and the Local Government Ombudsman to create a new organisation with strengthened governance and accountability. The Government intends to introduce the Bill when parliamentary time allows. A copy of the draft Bill has been placed in the Library of the House and it can also be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-public-service-ombudsman-bill

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
63237
Session
2016-17
Related items
Deposited Paper DEP2017-0230
Tuesday, 14 February 2017
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Local Government Ombudsman Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk