§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Prime Minister what advice is given to Departments about the promotion within executive officer and higher executive officer grades of persons who are already members of or intend to stand as candidates for membership of local councils; and what restriction is placed on their promotion.
§ The Prime MinisterThe rules governing political activities by civil servants are set out in the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code (paragraphs 9923 to 9957), a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library. Promotion is solely on merit in accordance with the general principles of fair and open competition. The grades referred to fall in the category of civil servants who need to apply for departmental permission to take part in local political activities, under the provisions set out in paragraphs 9929–9932 and 9934.
§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Prime Minister what functions and roles are restricted to those who are not members of, or candidates for, local councils within the Departments of the Environment and Transport at executive officer and higher executive officer grades.
§ The Prime MinisterThere are many posts in the Department of Environment and the Department of Transport which could not appropriately be held by officers who are members of, or candidates for, local councils, because it is important that the staff concerned should be seen to be politically impartial. All applications for permission to take part in local political activities are dates considered on a case by case basis, as is the posting of officers who have received such permission.
I also refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I am giving him today to another question.