§ Norman BakerTo ask the Prime Minister if his undertaking that announcements of Government policy should be made in the first instance in Parliament prevents(a) special advisers and (b) civil servants briefing the media before such an announcement. [23181]
§ The Prime MinisterIn their response to the report from the Public Administration Select Committee on the Ministerial Code, the Government made clear that when the House is sitting announcements of Government policy should be made, in the first instance, to Parliament. Contacts between civil servants, including special 97W advisers, and the media are conducted in accordance with the Guidance for the Government Information Service and the GICS Handbook.