§ Mr. AshtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment why Mr. John Rimington, Director General of the Health and Safety Executive, sent out a letter dated 17 September to staff warning them not to talk to hon. Members or journalists about the crises facing the Health and Safety Executive if it did not secure the level of funding for 1988–89.
§ Mr. NichollsI understand that Mr. Rimington took the view that the interview to an MP and journalist given by one of his staff on a matter currently under discussion between the Health and Safety Commission and Ministers breached the normal rules of discretion to which civil servants are subject.