The Ombudsman expressed concern at the large proportion of inadmissible cases - many more than would be experienced by a national ombudsman. He is taking action, by publicising the scope of his mandate and by encouraging national authorities to be more aware of Community law, to try to reduce the number of inadmissible cases. The Committee believes that this should be a priority. More generally on the question of the number of complaints, the Committee is somewhat surprised at the numbers of complaints made so far and forecasted. Nevertheless the smallness of the numbers may show a lack of awareness and knowledge of the Ombudsman on the part of the citizen.
Most complaints come from private individuals.
Surprisingly few companies complain to the Ombudsman, though they frequently criticise the Commission for late payment of debts and other delays in communication. This is, in the opinion of the Committee, something to which bodies such as the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses might usefully alert their members. As regards the subject-matter of complaints, the Committee notes that a substantial number relate to lack of transparency and failure to provide information. Of the Ombudsman's own initiative enquiries, that relating to the accessibility of documents and other information was of special interest to the Committee. The Committee therefore welcomes the Ombudsman's intervention in these matters.