§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent civil servants were involved in the political campaign to persuade Northern Ireland electors to vote "Yes" in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement. [HL2014]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)During the referendum campaign, as at all other times, civil servants were required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code and, in the case of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, their Code of Ethics also. In addition, guidance on the conduct of civil servants during the campaign was issued to the Home Civil Service members of the NIO and to the Northern Ireland Civil Service. A copy of this guidance was placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 13 May 1998.