Thanks to Simon Thomas for his work as the lead Member on this Bill and also to the people who participated in the consultation. We heard a considerable amount of evidence on the equality and local government committee on this Bill and we reached a certain degree of consensus on the committee about the need for greater powers for the public services ombudsman.

In UKIP, we are generally supportive of this Bill. We agree with the aim of making it easier for people to deal with the ombudsman, including people who want to make a verbal complaint because they lack the confidence to make a written submission. I agree with previous speakers on this point, that it will widen the number of people who can make complaints.

The right of the ombudsman to initiate his or her own investigations was discussed at length during the committee's inquiry. I think that this is a valuable tool for the ombudsman if he suspects that systemic problems may be occurring somewhere in the public services sector. Of course, there may be difficulties, as Mike Hedges outlined, and there is a need for checks and balances, but that has been covered, I believe, by the requirement to consult with the regulator. But we also have to bear in mind that, if systemic problems are discovered, then, ultimately, there could be cost savings once those are identified and rectified.

We also welcome the ability of the public to pursue complaints involving private medical treatment, that is when treatment involved the NHS at some stage. So, in general, we do welcome the principles of this Bill and we support today's motion. Diolch yn fawr.