Dear Sir or Madam,

Would you confirm if ANNE SEEX, Local Government Ombudsman ['LGO'] for the North since about 2005 held a senior position at Lancaster City Council, prior to becoming an LGO.

On 13 February 2007 the Commission for Local Administration England (CLAE) identified that Anne SEEX was not able to act as the LGO for Trafford because she had a relative who was connected with the Trafford Council.

Please would you provide all documentation identifying if an LGO should act as LGO for a Council where they have been employed and documentation identifying that grounds of probity, merit and independence that an LGO should be appointed to provide services to a Council where they have had links. It is anticipated that this documentation will be held by the CLAE.

Further please identify the Council's that REDMOND and WHITE have identified that they should not act as Ombudsmen for because of their personal links, and any associated documentation. Additionally, please identify those Council's that SEEX has identified and provide associated documentation that she should not act as LGO for due to her previous involvement with the Council's

Would you finally please provide copies of any documentation identifying that SEEX made the CLAE, the Secretary of State and their Department aware of her previous involvement with Lancaster City Council.

Yours faithfully,

Stuart HARDWICKE CARRUTHERS