Dear Mr Carruthers

Thank you for your e-mail of 1 June 2009, requesting copies of all correspondence and documents relating to pre-appointment hearings by parliamentary select committees of Local Government Ombudsman appointments.

Your request has been considered under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The information you requested, as far as we are able to provide it within the framework of legislation, is listed below.

I attach all correspondence and documents relating to pre-appointment hearings by parliamentary select committees of Local Government Ombudsman appointments.

This will be the first Local Government Ombudsman appointment subject to a pre-appointment hearing since its introduction. The Departmental select committee report of the Ombudsman pre-appointment hearing will be made available on the Parliament website soon after the pre-appointment hearing has taken place. A pre-appointment hearing will take place in the week commencing 12 October 2009.

Communities and Local Government as an organisation aims to be as helpful as possible in the way it deals with requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. If, however, you are not satisfied with the way in which your request has been handled or the outcome, you may request an internal review within two calendar months of the date of this letter. Information about the Department's review procedures and how to apply for an internal review of your case is contained in the attached leaflet. This also explains your right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision in the event that you remain dissatisfied following the authority's review.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me.

Yours sincerely

Vanita Patel