ABSTRACT
The PCA, or PO,3 was the first ombudsman to be introduced in this country, established by the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967. The function of the PO is to investigate complaints made by members of the public against the administration of government departments and other authorities now listed in Sched 1 of the Parliamentary and Health Service Commissioners Act 1987. There are over 80 institutions listed, but inclusion is patchy and can be confusing. For example, some non-departmental public bodies, including the Sports Council and the Commission for Racial Equality, are subject to the PO’s jurisdiction, but some other important bodies, such as the Independent Television Commission and the Civil Aviation Authority, are not.
