HC Deb 13 January 1986 vol 89 c520W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Prime Minister (1) if she will amend the Armstrong memorandum of guidance on conduct for civil servants to cover the situation where there is a conflict of opinion between the head of the civil servants' Department and the Prime Minister; and if she will make a statement;

(2) whether she will clarify the terms of the memorandum sent by the head of the Civil Service to Departments after the Ponting Case on the relationship between civil servants and Ministers to cover the kind of briefing of the Press which has taken and is taking place in the Westland affair.

The Prime Minister

I see no need to clarify or amend the terms of that note of guidance.