§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what response she proposes to make to the IPCS draft code of ethics, in respect of the proposals to strengthen the neutrality of Government information officers.
§ The Prime MinisterI have no seen the document to which the hon. Member refers, and have not been asked to respond to it. The duties and responsibilities of civil servants, including information staff, are set out in Sir Robert Armstrong's note of December 1987 and there are long-standing conventions on Government publicity. I do not believe that any separate code of ethics is required.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Prime Minister what recent disciplinary action has been taken against Government information officers in relation to their activities as trade union members; and for what reasons.
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§ The Prime MinisterDisciplinary action with regard to individual civil servants is a matter for Departments. Information on such cases is not held centrally.