HC Deb 22 March 1989 vol 149 c638W
58. Mr. Brazier

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the acceptable extent of party political activity by local government officers earning above £13,500.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Representations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State have concentrated on the appropriateness of applying political restrictions to the staff concerned rather than the extent of party political activity allowed to them. The representations have reinforced us in our view, that public political activity by such staff is unacceptable where it could conflict with the officers' duties. Our proposals in the Local Government and Housing Bill focus on those cases.