(1)For the purpose of conducting investigations in accordance with this Part or any corresponding legislation having effect in Northern Ireland there shall be a commissioner to be known as the Pensions Ombudsman.
(2)The Pensions Ombudsman shall be appointed by the Secretary of State and shall hold office upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary of State may think fit.
(3)The Pensions Ombudsman may at any time—
(a)be removed from office by notice in writing given to him by the Secretary of State; or
(b)resign his office by giving such notice to the Secretary of State.
[F1(4A)The Pensions Ombudsman may (with the approval of the Secretary of State as to numbers) appoint such persons to be employees of his as he thinks fit, on such terms and conditions as to remuneration and other matters as the Pensions Ombudsman may with the approval of the Secretary of State determine.
(4B)The Secretary of State may, on such terms as to payment by the Pensions Ombudsman as the Secretary of State thinks fit, make available to the Pensions Ombudsman such additional staff and such other facilities as he thinks fit.
(4C)Any function of the Pensions Ombudsman, other than the determination of complaints made and disputes referred under this Part, may be performed by any—
(a)employee appointed by the Pensions Ombudsman under subsection (4A), or
(b)member of staff made available to him by the Secretary of State under subsection (4B),
who is authorised for that purpose by the Pensions Ombudsman.]
(5)The Secretary of State may—
(a)pay to or in respect of the Pensions Ombudsman such amounts by way of remuneration, compensation for loss of office, pension, allowances and gratuities, or by way of provision for any such benefits, as the Secretary of State may determineF2...; and
(b)reimburse him in respect of any expenses incurred by him in the performance of his functions.
(6)The Pensions Ombudsman shall prepare a report on the discharge of his functions for each financial year, and shall submit it to the Secretary of State as soon as practicable afterwards.
(7)The Secretary of State shall arrange for the publication of each report submitted to him under subsection (6).
Extent Information
E1S. 145 extends to U.K. except s. 145(4)(5)(b) which extend only to G.B. see s. 192(2)
Textual Amendments
F1S. 145(4A)-(4C) substituted for s. 145(4) (2.10.1995) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), ss. 156, 180(1); S.I. 1995/2548, art. 2
F2Words in s. 145(5) repealed (6.4.1997) by Pensions Act 1995 (c. 26), s. 180(1), Sch. 6 para. 7, Sch. 7 Pt. IV; S.I. 1997/664, art. 2(3), Sch. Pt. 2
Commencement Information
I1Ss. 1-187 in force at 7.2.1994 by S.I. 1994/86, art. 2