§ 38. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants were seconded to private industry in the last two financial years.
§ Mr. RentonThe figures on a calendar year basis are 432 in 1989, up from 311 in 1988. I welcome that trend and look for it to continue.
§ Mr. MarshallMay I join my hon. Friends in welcoming my right hon. Friend to his new post? I also welcome the trend, because such cross-fertilisation can only be mutually beneficial.
§ Mr. RentonI thank my hon. Friend for his kind opening remarks. I wholly agree with his comment about cross-fertilisation. The figures have risen well. Secondments to industry have increased from 63 in 1977 to 432 in 1989. I am sure that much can be gained by both sides from the interchange of experience and knowledge of working practices. I share my hon. Friend's view that the trend should be greatly encouraged.