HC Deb 28 February 1989 vol 148 cc112-3W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff within his Department fall within each of the categories(a) politically restricted, (b) intermediate and (c) politically free, as defined by the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 27 February 1989]: The numbers are as follows:

DOE(central) Property Services Agency
Politically restricted 1,385 974
Intermediate 5,000 13,650
Politically free 1,285 8,600

Part-time and casual staff are included in these figures.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many staff within his Department in each of the years 1979 to 1988 in the categories(a) politically restricted and (b) intermediate, as defined by the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, have (i) successfully and (ii) unsuccessfully, appealed to the Civil Service appeal tribunal against a refusal of permission to take part in local or national political activity.

Mr. Ridley

[holding answer 27 February 1989]: One officer in the politically restricted category of staff appealed in 1986 to the Civil Service appeal board against the Department's refusal to permit him to stand for election to a local authority. The board upheld the Department's decision. No other appeals have been made.