Special Advisers

HC Deb 10 May 1976 vol 911 cc22-4

26. Mr. Sainsbury

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what advice is now given to special advisers with regard to their political activities.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

In December 1974 the previous Prime Minister issued a memorandum of guidance to Ministers in charge of Departments about the terms and conditions of employment of special advisers. This guidance still stands.

Mr. Sainsbury

Is the Minister aware that when I was a special adviser I was expected to, and did, resign from my ward committee to conform to the strict rules that were then in force and that should still be in force? Is he satisfied that those same strict rules are enforced now?

Mr. Morris

Yes. I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his advice, which he still gives to Ministers on this subject. Special advisers will be expected to conduct themselves with a proper discretion and to behave with circumspection.

Mr. Ridley

Can the Minster say whether the cost of special advisers will be taxable as a benefit in kind after the Finance Bill has gone through—that is, if one can call it a benefit after last Thursday's local elections?

Mr. Morris

Whether advice is a benefit or not can be judged on the basis of the last supplementary question by the hon. Member for Hove (Mr. Sainsbury).

Mr. Gow

Will the Government publish the memorandum of December 1974, which was issued by the former Prime Minister and which the Government have refused to publish?

Mr. Morris

As the House was told on 4th February, it has not been the practice to publish such memoranda.

Mr. Skinner

What is the point of having special political advisers if they have to remove themselves from political activity?

Mr. Morris

I can only suggest that my hon. Friend has not appreciated the significance of the reply that I have already given. should explain that special advisers are generally regarded as civil servants and their participation in national political activities is inhibited, but the nature of their appointments in no way rules out contacts with their political parties.