TNAG-0106-FCO40-142-Proposals-to-appoint-an-Ombudsman-1969 — Page 157

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Extract from Daily Information Bulletin

PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER.

3

26/2/69

OMBUDSMAN - FOR HONG KONG?

The question of an Ombudsman or an office similar to that of

the Parliamentary Commissioner in Britain or New Zealand must remain

open.

The Governor said he preferred to refer to that office as that

of a Parliamentary Commissioner for the term Ombudsman is inappropriate

to constitutional forms of the British type.

Sir David Trench pointed out that the existence of a Commissioner

would not in any way reduce the need to retain all the present channels

of complaint.

Sir David said: "I think it is a question which must stay

open until we have improved the existing channels to the maximum extent.

Commissioners are not all-powerful righters of all grievances,

he said.

They have no executive powers whatever, and can only report

their findings, he added.

Sir David said: "It seems to me we need systems of dealing

with complaints more flexible and effective than this, and that indeed,

as I have said before, in essence we have them."

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