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

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 the European Parliament and to local authorities in England. These are taking place on 4 June 2009.

The guidance sets out 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 European and local elections starts on 14 May.

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.