Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 July 1996. It was answered by Earl Howe (Conservative) on Thursday, 25 July 1996.

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Howe, Earl

Question

Whether, as reported in The Times of 11th July 1996, complaints have been made by senior civil servants under pressure from Ministers "to prepare material for election manifestos, alter official reports to provide a party political slant, give briefings on political responses to Opposition policies and Opposition speeches, supply material subsequently used in party election broadcasts and write political speeches when political advisers, who are not civil servants, are absent", and if so, whether such complaints are well founded. - No evidence to support such complaints has been given to the Government.

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Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

574 c166WA

Session

1995-96

Subjects

Civil servants Civil service Campaigns Elections Ministers Political impartiality Senior civil servants