Government of Wales Act 1998

Consultation and co-operation with other Ombudsmen

27(1)Where the Welsh Administration Ombudsman, at any stage in the course of conducting an investigation, forms the opinion that the complaint relates partly to a matter which could be the subject of an investigation—

(a)by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration under the [1967 c. 13.] Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967,

(b)by a Health Service Commissioner under the [1993 c. 46.] Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, or

(c)by a Local Commissioner under Part III of the [1974 c. 7.] Local Government Act 1974,

he shall consult about the complaint with the appropriate Commissioner and, if he considers it necessary, he shall inform the person who made the complaint of the steps necessary to make a complaint to that Commissioner.

(2)Where the Welsh Administration Ombudsman consults with a Commissioner in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), the consultations may extend to any matter relating to the complaint, including—

(a)the conduct of any investigation pursuant to the complaint, and

(b)the form, content and publication of any report of such an investigation.

(3)Where a body subject to investigation by the Welsh Administration Ombudsman is also—

(a)an authority to which the [1967 c. 13.] Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 applies,

(b)a body subject to investigation by a Health Service Commissioner under the [1993 c. 46.] Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, or

(c)an authority to which Part III of the [1974 c. 7.] Local Government Act 1974 applies,

the Welsh Administration Ombudsman and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, the Health Service Commissioner concerned or the Local Commissioner concerned shall co-operate with each other to any such extent as appears appropriate when exercising any function in relation to the body.

(4)Nothing in paragraph 25(1) applies in relation to the disclosure of information in the course of consultations or other co-operation under this paragraph.