§ Dr. KumarTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to relax regulations prohibiting members of the senior civil service from holding public office. [16881]
§ Mr. LeslieThere are no plans to relax the restrictions relating to the involvement of members of the senior civil service in political activities. The rules are set out in the Civil Service Management Code and specify that members of the Senior Civil Service are not allowed to take part in national political activities. They may take468W part in national political activities. They may take part in local political activities with the permission of their Department or agency. Civil servants are prohibited from election to Parliament by way of the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.