18(1)The Ombudsman is the accounting officer for the office of the Ombudsman.E+W
(2)If the Ombudsman is incapable of discharging his responsibilities as accounting officer, the [F1Audit Committee] may designate a member of his staff to be the accounting officer for as long as he is so incapable.
(3)If the office of the Ombudsman is vacant and there is no acting Ombudsman, the [F1Audit Committee] may designate a member of the Ombudsman's staff to be the accounting officer for as long as the office of the Ombudsman is vacant and there is no acting Ombudsman.
(4)The accounting officer has, in relation to the accounts and the finances of the Ombudsman, the responsibilities which are from time to time specified by the [F1Audit Committee].
(5)In this paragraph references to responsibilities include in particular—
(a)responsibilities in relation to the signing of accounts,
(b)responsibilities for the propriety and regularity of the finances of the Ombudsman, and
(c)responsibilities for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the resources of the Ombudsman are used.
(6)The responsibilities which may be specified under this paragraph include responsibilities owed to—
(a)the Assembly, the [F2Welsh Ministers] or the Audit Committee, or
(b)the House of Commons or its Committee of Public Accounts.
(7)If requested to do so by the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, the Audit Committee may—
(a)on behalf of the Committee of Public Accounts take evidence from the accounting officer, and
(b)report to the Committee of Public Accounts and transmit to that Committee any evidence so taken.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in Sch. 1 para. 18 substituted by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160(1), Sch. 10 para. 86(13)(a) (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.
F2Words in Sch. 1 para. 18(6)(a) substituted by Government of Wales Act 2006 (c. 32), s. 160(1), Sch. 10 para. 86(13)(b) (with Sch. 11 para. 22), the amending provision coming into force immediately after "the 2007 election" (held on 3.5.2007) subject to s. 161(4)(5) of the amending Act, which provides for certain provisions to come into force for specified purposes immediately after the end of "the initial period" (which ended with the day of the first appointment of a First Minister on 25.5.2007) - see ss. 46, 161(1)(4)(5) of the amending Act.