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Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Asked by Steve DarlingLiberal DemocratCabinet OfficeTabled Answered 4 March 2026UIN 115514

The question

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will amend the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 to enable the Public Health and Service Ombudsman to stop requiring an hon. Member's signature before members of the public can refer a complaint to them.

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds

The Government believes the filtering process MPs facilitate continues to provide an effective way to empower backbenchers to hold the executive to account and emphasises the Ombudsman’s position as a servant of Parliament.

We have no plans to amend the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 at this time.

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