HC Deb 27 January 2004 vol 417 cc313-4W
Ian Lucas

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance his Department gives to the Court Service on political neutrality. [150442]

Mr. Leslie

The Civil Service Management Code sets out the standards of conduct and discipline that all civil servants must follow. The Code statesCivil servants must not take part in any political or public activity which compromises, or might be seen to compromise, their impartial service to the Government of the day or any future Government".

That is reflected in the Department's Employee Handbook, a copy of which goes to all Court Service employees.

Ian Lucas

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance his Department gives to the Court Service on appropriate use of its estate. [150443]

Mr. Leslie

Under the Government's wider market initiative courts have been encouraged to make commercial use of assets, including estates, to generate income. The Department for Constitutional Affairs has issued guidance about undertaking wider markets activities to its agencies, including the Court Service. The guidance includes specific advice about image/ propriety, avoidance of disruption to core services, licensing, insurance, security and the use of in-house equipment when wider market activities are being considered. In addition separate guidance has also been produced by HM Treasury and the Court Service.