Miscellaneous and general

Consultation and co-operation with other Commissioners and Ombudsmen
21
1
Where the Ombudsman, at any stage in the course of considering a complaint or request, forms the opinion that the complaint or request relates partly to a matter which could be the subject of an investigation—
a
by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration under the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c.13),
b
by either of the Health Service Commissioners under the Health Service Commissioners Act 1993 (c.46) (as that Act has effect in England and Wales),
c
by the Welsh Administration Ombudsman under the Government of Wales Act 1998 (c.38),
d
by a Local Commissioner under Part III of the Local Government Act 1974 (c.7), or
e
by a housing ombudsman in accordance with a scheme approved under section 51 of the Housing Act 1996 (c.52),
the Ombudsman must consult the appropriate Commissioner or other Ombudsman about the complaint or request.
2
If the Ombudsman considers it necessary, the Ombudsman must inform the person who made the complaint or request of the steps necessary to initiate a complaint to that Commissioner or other Ombudsman.
3
Where the Ombudsman consults a Commissioner or other Ombudsman in accordance with this section, the consultations may extend to any matter relating to the complaint or request, including—
a
the conduct of any investigation into the matter to which the complaint or request relates, and
b
the form, content and publication of any report of the result of such an investigation.
4
Where a listed authority is also an authority to which the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c.13) applies, the Ombudsman must co-operate with the Parliamentary Commissioner to such extent as appears appropriate when exercising any function in relation to that authority.
5
Nothing in section 19(1) applies in relation to the disclosure of information in the course of consultation or co-operation under this section.