§ 56. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of State for Defence how many previous military officers and senior Defence Ministry civil servants have joined firms with contracts to supply arms to the Ministry of Defence in the last five years; and if he will consider making it a requirement on becoming an officer or senior civil servant that joining such firms after retirement is prohibited without specific sanction.
§ Lord BalnielOver the last five years. 108 Service Officers, and nine senior civil servants—at two-star level and above—in the Ministry of Defence, have joined firms with a contractual relationship with the Ministry.
Officers and civil servants at two-star level and above, and others who have held posts of a special or technical character, are prohibited from joining such firms, within two years after retirement or resignation, without specific permission.
§ 57. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of State for Defence if he will ensure that firms seeking contracts to supply arms to his Department will be disqualified if they have previous Government Ministers as directors or employees.
§ Mr. Ian GilmourNo.