HL Deb 21 March 2002 vol 632 c162WA
Lord King of West Bromwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What advice has been given to civil servants on the conduct of government business during the forthcoming elections to local councils on 2 May. [HL3468]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Government have issued guidance to civil servants on the principles which they should observe in relation to the conduct of government business in the period before the forthcoming elections.

The guidance stresses that civil servants should conduct themselves in accordance with the Civil Service Code and is based on the need to maintain the political impartiality of the Civil Service and the need to ensure that public resources are not used for party political purposes. The guidance will come into force on 11 April. Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Library of the House, and are also available from the Vote Office.