§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Prime Minister what guidance is given to civil servants concerning the scope of advice and information given to local authority officials prior to the passage of relevant legislation through Parliament; and whether she will make a statement concerning advice surrounding the establishment of the Waverley Housing Trust.
§ The Prime MinisterCivil servants may give information and advice to outside organisations and individuals concerning the Government's policies, consistent with the general rules governing conduct and the requirements of statute regarding the disclosure of information. Where information is given about policies whose implementation is dependent on the passage of legislation through Parliament, this would be made clear.
I shall ask my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to write to the right hon. Member once his information into contacts between civil servants and those who established the Waverley Housing Trust is complete.