§ Mr.Cowansasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants at permanent secretary level retired or resigned over the period 1974 to 1977; and how many of them went into industry.
Mr.Charles R.Morris27 civil servants at permanent secretary level retired or resigned over the period 1974 to 1977. Moves by senior civil servants into industry have long been subject to rules designed to safeguard the public interest. In particular, a permanent secretary who wishes to take up a business appointment within two years of retirement or resignation is required to obtain the Prime Minister's prior approval; and he must in any case wait a minimum of three months after leaving the Service before taking up the new job. The Prime Minister's decision is given only after he has obtained the views of an independent advisory committee under the chairman. ship of Lord Diamond. Copies of the rules are available in the House of Commons Library and published as appendix 15 to the report of the Royal Commission on standards of conduct in public life (Cmnd. 6524). Of the 27 civil servants in question, 10 applied to take up jobs in industry. The Government are not informed whether applications for which permission is given are subsequently taken up.