§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what guidelines exist for the granting of specific civil servants of attributable interviews to newspapers and radio containing policy statements determined by Ministers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Luce[holding answer 20 October 1989]: The principles governing civil servants' contacts with the media are set out in chapter 6, sections 2 and 4, of the personnel management handbook. Copies of the handbook are available in the House Libraries. Advice on specific cases is given by departmental information officers.