HC Deb 16 May 1996 vol 277 cc548-9W
Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many local government employees work in politically restricted posts. [29216]

Sir Paul Beresford

Approximately 40,000 local authority posts in England and Wales are estimated to be so restricted.

Mr. Donohoe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many appeals have been lodged against the political restriction of their posts by local government employees during the last five years; how many of these appeals have been (i) successful and (ii) unsuccessful; and how many of these appeals have still to be dealt with. [29218]

Sir Paul Beresford

In the past five years, 516 applications for exemption from political restriction were made in respect of England to the independent adjudicator appointed under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Exemption was granted in 489 cases, declined in 24, and three applications are outstanding.