§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in what circumstances Ministers may require civil servants to address public meetings on their behalf.
§ Mr. WaldegraveAuthority can be given to civil servants to make public speeches explaining declared Government policy or discussing the processes of government. On occasions civil servants have also been authorised to read speeches on policy matters prepared for Ministers who have been prevented at the last minute from370W doing so themselves. In such cases the fact that the civil servant is reading the Minister's text is made clear. These have been the practices of successive Governments.