HC Deb 07 November 1978 vol 957 cc137-8W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will give an assurance that former employees of his Department are not encouraged to jeopardise British technological developments by selling their expertise, gained during confidential work in his Department, to foreign competitors, in the light of a case notified to him by the hon. Member for Christchurch and Lymington; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Les Huckfield

Former employees are not so encouraged. In the case notified to my right hon. Friend by the hon. Member the information concerned was not confidential, being freely available

1975 1976 1977 1978 (January—September)
Gloucestershire 119 125 55 60
South West England (excluding Gloucestershire) 341 279 198 150
TOTAL SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND 460 404 253 210

from Warren Spring laboratory to anyone who inquired.