§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance is currently being given to clerical grades at his Department's central pensions branch at Longbenton about the extent to which they may engage in political activities; and whether this guidance has been recently changed.
§ Mr. NewtonThe extent to which staff may engage in political activities is laid down in the Department's staff rules and staff code. Clerical grades at Longbenton have standing permission to engage in all the national and local political activities open to the intermediate group (as defined in the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code) of which they are a part. Following recent revision of the rules for the Civil Service as a whole the members of this group who have standing permission are required to inform local management of intended political activities prior to taking them up.