Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether his Department issues guidance to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman on timescales for responding to complaints that have been referred by Members of Parliament.

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is independent of Government and is accountable to Parliament through the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee for its performance.

The Ombudsman publishes quarterly reports online about performance against their service charter and their Annual Report and Resource Accounts are laid before Parliament and includes information on timeliness of replies.

The Ombudsman has agreed to write to the Hon. Member on these issues and copies will be placed in the Library of the House.