HC Deb 05 November 1980 vol 991 cc1286-8
Mr. Whitehead

asked the Minister for the Civil Service how many requests he has received since May 1979 from permanent secretaries in the Civil Service who wished to transfer to private industry immediately following their retirement.

Mr. Channon

Since May 1979 the Government have received requests from six permanent secretaries serving in, or recently retired from, the United Kingdom Civil Service to take up outside business appointments. The business appointments rules require a minimum period of three months to elapse between a permanent secretary leaving the Civil Service and taking up an appointment within the scope of the rules.

Mr. Whitehead

Will the Minister confirm or deny that one of these requests came from Sir Jack Rampton, a former permanent secretary at the Department of Industry, who has been reported in the press as being likely to be appointed chairman of a large British company with extensive construction interests in the North Sea? If that is so, would it not be most improper for a civil servant of that seniority to move immediately to such a company?

Mr. Channon

As the hon. Gentleman has tabled his question, I must tell him that the Government have received no such request from Sir Jack Rampton to take up a business appointment. Were any such request to be received, it would have to be considered in accordance with the rules.

Mr. Spearing

Will the Minister assure the House that any future applications of this sort will be refused if the business appointment concerned is anything to do with the particular matters with which the civil servant was dealing in the Civil Service? Is not any other arrangement unacceptable to the House and the nation?

Mr. Channon

What I think is acceptable are the rules that were laid down by the previous Government in 1975 after a thorough review of the rules that then applied. I think that that deals fully with the hon. Member's point. However, if the House finds that that is not so, the Government will be willing to accept any advice that the House cares to give.

Mr. Cryer

Is it not strange how the private sector continually criticises civil servants for being on its back but invites senior permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries into its boardrooms? Is it not extraordinary that so many should retire, or retire prematurely, from their Civil Service careers to finish up in a well-paid job in a boardroom? Does that not smack of some degree of corruption? Are not the rules totally inadequate, whether they were produced by this Government or the previous Government?

Mr. Channon

I have no evidence that the rules are inadequate. If the House, or if the Select Committee which has been considering this matter, comes to the view that they are inadequate, the Government will be willing to consider the matter again.

Mr. Dalyell

Is it proper that given the delicate issue of relations between oil companies and Government Departments a period of three months should be thought to be adequate?

Mr. Channon

No. I do not think that that is the case. As I said to the House that is the minimum period for a permanant secretary. The committee may recommend to the Prime Minister any period up to two years. It is for the Prime Minister of the day to decide on applications made by permanent secretaries, and the Prime Minister makes her own decision in all such matters.

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