§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Prime Minister what steps he has taken to ensure that the output of the Central Media Monitoring Unit cannot be used for party political advantage. [24240]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is staffed by civil servants who are under a duty set out in the Civil Service Code to conduct themselves with integrity, impartiality and honesty. The Unit operates strictly within the Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service which specifies that work carried out by the Service should not be, or be liable to misrepresentation as being, party political. Ministers are also under a duty in the Ministerial Code to uphold the political impartiality of the Civil Service and not to use public resources for party political purposes.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Prime Minister what is the projected annual cost of the Central Media Monitoring Unit. [24239]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is currently operating as a pilot. Decisions on its permanent staffing and range of services have not been made. It is not yet possible, therefore, to provide a meaningful projection of costs for full operation. However, all the Unit's set-up and running costs have been contained within Departments' current budgets, as will all future costs.
§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make available to all hon. Members the output of the Central Media Monitoring Unit. [24241]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 20 January 1998]: The Media Monitoring Unit is currently operating as a pilot. When it is fully operational, I will arrange for the Unit's regular output to be placed in the Library of the House.