HC Deb 21 February 1980 vol 979 c259W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Energy, since 1970 how many civil servants at his Department have taken up employment with oil companies within two years of leaving his Department.

Mr. David Howell

I am unable to answer for the period before 1974 when the Department of Energy was set up.

As far as we are aware, 12 staff have left the Department since 1974 to join oil companies. In addition, 14 staff went to BNOC.

Senior staff leaving the Department of Energy are reminded of the need to obtain Government assent before accepting within two years of leaving the Department certain types of employment which might lend themselves to misunderstanding.