§ Mr. Spearingasked the Prime Minister what plans Her Majesty's Government have for permitting or facilitating members of the Civil Service to speak or appear on radio or television programmes.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have no plans to change the present guidance on the appearance of civil servants on radio or television programmes. Civil servants are permitted to take part in broadcasts, so long as they do not engage in discussion of politically controversial matters. Whilst, therefore, they may in certain circumstances describe and explain Government policies, it is for Ministers to justify those policies and to defend them in party political terms.