§ Mr. Peartasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what instructions have been issued to National Agricultural Advisory Service officers concerning participation in discussions regarding the recent Price Review award;
(2) what instructions were given to Mr. Derek Barber, National Agricultural Advisory Service County Officer for Gloucestershire, concerning his proposed participation in a broadcast on British Broadcasting Corporation television on Sunday, 5th April.
§ Mr. SoamesNo special instructions have been issued to the N.A.A.S. All officers of my Department are aware of the general rule that civil servants should not in their official capacity take part in public discussions on policy matters without express permission. Following an approach from the B.B.C., Mr. Barber applied for permission to take part in his official capacity in a broadcast discussion on some farm management issues in the light of the recent Annual Review. It has been established practice that officials should not, immediately following an Annual Review, take part in public discussion on its implications. It was decided to follow this rule in this case, and permission was therefore not given.