§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Prime Minister what guidance is given to civil servants on their respective duties to (a) the Government of the day and (b) the Crown in Parliament.
§ Mr. BiffenI have been asked to reply.
The main principles are set out in the introduction and paragraphs 9870–9871 and 9923 of the "Civil Service Pay and Conditions of Service Code". The duties of civil servants are further explained in the chapter "What is a civil servant?" In the "Handbook for the new civil servant" (Civil Service Department, 1980). The "Memorandum of Guidance for Officials Appearing Before Select Committees" (Civil Service Department, 1980) makes it clear that civil servants who give evidence to Select Committees do so on behalf of Ministers. Copies of all three are in the Library of the House.