Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bridges of Headley on 23 February (HL5871), whether the activities of Police and Crime Commissioners themselves are subject to a purdah period, and if so, when that period begins in relation to the elections in May.

The pre-election restrictions for Police and Crime Commissioners are governed by Section 2 of the Local Government Act 1986, as amended in 1988. It is permissible for a Police and Crime Commissioner to campaign individually on a political basis, but without recourse to the resources of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). The Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity would also apply in these circumstances and covers the full range of Local Authorities (including Police and Crime Commissioners and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime). The purdah period for Police and Crime Commissioners and their offices, like other Local Authorities, begins with the publication of the notice of election by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), which must happen no later than the 25th day before the day of the election, but can be issued at any point before then. PAROs are responsible for deciding on the date on which they will issue the notice of election – they may issue individually, or simultaneously.