Written Question · S1W-07512 · Session 1
How many complaints have been made to the External Complaints Adjudicator in respect of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE); (b) eac…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints have been made to the External Complaints Adjudicator in respect of (a) Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE); (b) each local enterprise company contracted to HIE; (c) Scottish Enterprise; and (d) each local enterprise company contracted to Scottish Enterprise, specifying in each case the number of complaints which were upheld, the number rejected, and the number rejected because they were submitted late; whether the External Complaints Adjudicator has the power to order payment of compensation; if not, whether it plans to provide such powers either to the External Complaints Adjudicator or a new Ombudsman, and, if it has such plans how compensation should be assessed.
The answer
In 1999-2000 the External Adjudicators for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, investigated the following complaints against the Enterprise Networks:(a) One against Highlands and Islands Enterprise which was rejected.(b) One against Western Isles Enterprise which was rejected.(c) None against Scottish Enterprise.(d) One against Scottish Enterprise Grampian which was rejected and one against Scottish Enterprise Glasgow which is ongoing.None of those rejected were done so as a result of late submission.The External Adjudicators' terms of reference empower them to make recommendations for appropriate action where the complaint is upheld and this could include financial compensation. They do not have powers to order it. There are no current plans to change these powers or to establish a new Ombudsman.The Scottish Executive proposes to consult on the role of public sector Ombudsmen in the autumn.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S1W-07512 by reference.