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4

2

2) thirdly, the establishment of the Commissioner

to

for Administrative Complaints is intended supplement and strengthen the existing channels for the redress of grievances and not to replace any of them. It is clearly desirable to avoid disrupting the operation of the other channels which have been working well. OMELCO has a widely recognised role at the apex of the

the existing channels for dealing with complaints against the Administration. This 'should be preserved;

fourthly, direct access to the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints could result in considerable duplication

of

resources.

Experience shows that many complainants tend to lodge their complaints simultaneously through a number of different channels; and

finally, the function of the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints is to investigate only complaints concerning maladministration. Again, experience shows that most public complaints against the Administration concern matters of policy or are otherwise outside the

le Commissioner's jurisdiction. Direct access

le

could well result in the Commissioner having to turn away large numbers of complaints received on the grounds that they fall outside his remit. This could do serious damage to

to his credibility even before

before he has had time to establish it.

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