Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether there are restrictions on Mr Haydon Etherington's activity as a member of the Labour Party whilst serving as Senior Policy Adviser to the Deputy Prime Minister.

There are clear rules governing recruitment and appointment of civil service roles which are regulated by the Civil Service Commission. We do not comment on individual staffing matters. The approach to recruitment and staffing levels is in line with the approach taken for these central functions under the previous administration.