Parliamentary Ombudsman

Lord Lester of Herne Hill
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 May (WA 65), where the information is held indicating on how many occasions since 1997 the Home Office has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and how members of the public may have access to that information; and [HL6054]

Further to the Written Answer by the Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 18 May (WA 65), whether the Home Office will in future hold information about the department's compliance with the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations in a way which permits public access to that information.[HL6055]

The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)
The complete information requested is not currently held centrally within the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

In terms of the future, the Home Office will look at better ways of collating and making available information about recommendations made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman following its investigations in a way which is commensurate with the ombudsman's own publication procedures. We will be in touch with the ombudsman about this and I will write to the noble Lord with details of our proposals.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the reason for the delay in answering the Question for Written Answer by the Lord Lester of Herne Hill (HL6054) on the information held regarding the number of occasions since 1997 when the Home Office has refused or omitted to give effect to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman; and [HL7075]

What is the reason for the delay in answering the Question for Written Answer by the Lord Lesterof Herne Hill (HL6055) on whether the Home Office will in future hold information about the department’s compliance with the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s recommendations in a way which permits public access to that information.[HL7076]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal
The complete information requested is not currently held centrally within the Home Office and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman itself publishes a range of information about its investigations. For example, in terms of its role in examining access to official information, the Ombudsman’s report of May 2005 (Monitoring of the Non-Statutory Codes of Practice 1994-2005 (Access to Official Information)) shows that between 1994 and 2005 the Home Office was subject to 18 investigations. Of those investigations, the ombudsman found that in one instance the department has failed to comply with its recommendations.

In terms of the future, the Home Office will look at better ways of collating and making available information about recommendations made by the Parliamentary Ombudsman following its investigations, in a way which is commensurate with the ombudsman’s own publication procedures. We will be in touch with the ombudsman about this and I will write to the noble Lord with details of our proposals.