4.
(b) Hong Kong The appointment of an Ombudsman or his
equivalent has been under consideration in Hong Kong
since 1965. It has now been decided to appoint a
person of standing as full time Secretary to the
Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive
and Legislative Councils. When appointeâ, this
officer will act as a receiving point for
representations from the public and will be empowered
to make any necessary enquiries from the relevant
departments of Government.
Scope of the right of petition in Dependent Territories
In Britain the Parliamentary Commissioner, establishe â
by the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967, may carry out an
investigation only at the instance of a Member of the House of
Commons on a complaint from a member of the public who claims
to have suffered injustice in consequence of maladministration
by a Government Department or other specifically named authority.
The right of petition in Dependent Territories, which can be
freely exercised by any person who feels himself aggrieved,
covers, and extends beyond, complaints of this kind.
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