Civil Servants (Political Campaigns) (Hansard, 14 June 1994)

§ Mr. Nigel Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what limitations are placed on political campaigning by individuals employed by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hague
Political activities of civil servants in this Department are determined by chapter 4.4 of the personnel management section of the civil service management code, a copy of which is in the Library.
For the majority of staff below grade 7 level there are no limitations unless they are employed in certain areas of work. Staff at grade 7 level and above, administrative trainees and higher executive officers are barred from national political activities and must seek permission to take part in local political activities.
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Where political activity involves campaigning about issues relating to this Department, staff must have regard to general rules on conduct set out in chapter 4.1 of the personnel management section of the civil service management code.

§ Mr. Nigel Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what limitations are placed on individuals employed by his Department regarding campaigning to change the workings of the Child Support Act 1991; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Hague
Civil servants are bound by the rules set out in chapter 4.1 and annex A of the personnel management section of the civil service management code, a copy of which is in the Library.
Campaigning by civil servants employed in this Department to change the workings of the Child Support Act 1991 through political or public activity would not be regarded as acceptable under the rules.

Area Claims received Assessed at 14 per cent. or more disabled¹ Disallowed on employment grounds² Disallowed on medical grounds³

South

Anglia 23 3 4 4

Chilterns 22 0 4 1

South East 441 29 21 251

West Country 144 4 7 39

Wales and Central England

East Midlands 5,175 406 88 3,447

Greater Manchester 308 27 11 194

Lancashire and Cumbria 2,129 106 99 1,254

Merseyside 463 32 21 301

Midlands South West 619 46 24 404

Wales 8,378 1,103 514 5,020

West Mercia 3,478 294 147 1,958

Scotland and North

East Scotland 2,331 80 70 1,708

Glasgow 228 6 9 80

North and West Yorkshire 2,456 287 78 1,563

North, Central and West Scotland 1,835 47 74 1,410

South Yorkshire 6,168 610 127 3,900

Tyne Tees 6,807 490 126 5,237

Total 41,005 3,570 1,424 26,771

¹ Claims assessed at 14 per cent. or more result in an award of benefit.

² Claims are disallowed where the claimant has not worked underground in a coal mine for at least 20 years.

³ Claims disallowed on medical grounds include those where there is insufficient lung function loss; those where category 1 pneumoconiosis has not been diagnosed, and those where chronic bronchitis or emphysema has not been diagnosed.

Figures are based on a 100 per cent. count and are subject to amendment. Not all the claims received would have been decided by 22 May.

Area	Claims received	Assessed at 14 per cent. or more disabled¹	Disallowed on employment grounds²	Disallowed on medical grounds³
South
Anglia	23	3	4	4
Chilterns	22	0	4	1
South East	441	29	21	251
West Country	144	4	7	39
Wales and Central England
East Midlands	5,175	406	88	3,447
Greater Manchester	308	27	11	194
Lancashire and Cumbria	2,129	106	99	1,254
Merseyside	463	32	21	301
Midlands South West	619	46	24	404
Wales	8,378	1,103	514	5,020
West Mercia	3,478	294	147	1,958
Scotland and North
East Scotland	2,331	80	70	1,708
Glasgow	228	6	9	80
North and West Yorkshire	2,456	287	78	1,563
North, Central and West Scotland	1,835	47	74	1,410
South Yorkshire	6,168	610	127	3,900
Tyne Tees	6,807	490	126	5,237
Total	41,005	3,570	1,424	26,771
¹ Claims assessed at 14 per cent. or more result in an award of benefit.
² Claims are disallowed where the claimant has not worked underground in a coal mine for at least 20 years.
³ Claims disallowed on medical grounds include those where there is insufficient lung function loss; those where category 1 pneumoconiosis has not been diagnosed, and those where chronic bronchitis or emphysema has not been diagnosed.