§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish guidance to councils on the rules governing the use of council finance to pay for public relations consultants or staff to publicise issues which do not relate clearly to the council's provision of services. [49318]
§ Mr. MacdonaldCouncils are obliged by section 4 of the Local Government Act 1986 (as amended) to have regard to the Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity which was published on 15 August 1988 as Scottish Development Department Circular 16/88. I have ensured that a copy is available in the Library of the House.