Part X

Investigations: the Pensions Ombudsman

The Pensions Ombudsman.
145
1
For the purpose of conducting investigations in accordance with this Part or any corresponding legislation having effect in Northern Ireland there shall be a commissioner to be known as the Pensions Ombudsman.
2
The Pensions Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall hold and vacate office upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary of State may think fit.
3
The Pensions Ombudsman may resign or be removed from office in accordance with those terms and conditions.
4A
The Pensions Ombudsman may (with the approval of the Secretary of State as to numbers) appoint such persons to be employees of his as he thinks fit, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration and other matters as the Pensions Ombudsman may with the approval of the Secretary of State determine.
4B
The Secretary of State may, on such terms as to payment by the Pensions Ombudsman as the Secretary of State thinks fit, make available to the Pensions Ombudsman such additional staff and such other facilities as he thinks fit.
4C
Any function of the Pensions Ombudsman, other than the determination of complaints made and disputes referred under this Part, may be performed by any—
a
employee appointed by the Pensions Ombudsman under subsection (4A), or
b
member of staff made available to him by the Secretary of State under subsection (4B),
who is authorised for that purpose by the Pensions Ombudsman.
5
The Secretary of State may—
a
pay to or in respect of the Pensions Ombudsman such amounts by way of remuneration, compensation for loss of office, pension, allowances and gratuities, or by way of provision for any such benefits, as the Secretary of State may determine ...; and
b
reimburse him in respect of any expenses incurred by him in the performance of his functions.
6
The Pensions Ombudsman shall prepare a report on the discharge of his functions for each financial year, and shall submit it to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable afterwards.
7
The Secretary of State shall arrange for the publication of each report submitted to him under subsection (6).
8
As soon as is reasonably practicable, the Pensions Ombudsman shall send to the Comptroller and Auditor General a statement of the Pensions Ombudsman’s accounts in respect of a financial year.
9
The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—
a
examine, certify and report on a statement received under this section; and
b
send a copy of the statement and the report to the Secretary of State who shall lay them before Parliament.
10
In this section “financial year” means a period of 12 months ending with 31st March.
S. 145 extends to U.K. except s. 145(4)(5)(b) which extend only to G.B. see s. 192(2)
Ss. 1-187 in force at 7.2.1994 by S.I. 1994/86, art. 2
S. 145(4A)-(4C) substituted for s. 145(4) (2.10.1995) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 156, 180(1); S.I. 1995/2548, art. 2
Words in s. 145(5) repealed (6.4.1997) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), s. 180(1), Sch. 6 para. 7, Sch. 7 Pt. IV; S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2
Words in s. 145(2) inserted (17.12.2004) by Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35), ss. 274(1), 322(1) (with s. 313); S.I. 2004/3350, art. 2, Sch.
S. 145(3) substituted (17.12.2004) by Pensions Act 2004 (c. 35), ss. 274(2), 322(1) (with s. 313); S.I. 2004/3350, art. 2, Sch.
S. 145(8)-(10) inserted (26.3.2008) by The Government Resources and Accounts Act 2000 (Audit of Public Bodies) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/817), arts. 1, 9 (with art. 10)