§ Mr. Mortonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many civil servants in his Department of executive officer grade and above have sought permission to hold office in a political party at a local level for each of the last five years; how many of these were refused in each year; and for what reasons.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe rules currently governing political activities of civil servants place those of executive officer grade and above in the politically restricted group of civil servants who are 445W completely barred from participating in national political activities.
"National political activities" include holding office as chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, president and local agent in a local ward or constituency organisation of a national political party.
Year Ending Number of Applications Number of Applications Refused 31.5.75 2 2 31.5.77 4 4 31.5.78 4 4 31.5.79 – – 31.5.80 4 4