My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Edward Miliband) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

In line with established practice, guidance has today been issued to civil servants in UK departments on the principles which they should observe in relation to the conduct of government business in the run-up to the forthcoming elections to local authorities in England and Wales and to the Greater London Authority, which are taking place on 1 May 2008.

The guidance sets out the principles 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 period of sensitivity preceding the local elections starts on 10 April.

Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Libraries of the House and on the Cabinet Office website at www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/propriety_and_ ethics/civil_service/election_guidance.aspx.