§ Baroness Gardner of Parkesasked Her Majesty's Government:
If they are satisfied that sufficient opportunities exist for the employment of non-civil servants within the Civil Service on temporary appointments; and whether they are satisfied that civil servants are able to gain experience outside the Civil Service on a similar basis.
The Minister of State, Privy Council Office, and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)Good progress is being made, as is shown in a report on our exchange programme which I am placing in the Library of the House; but we always welcome further opportunities. The results for 1982 are very encouraging. The total number of secondments continues to grow and rose by 20 per cent. between 1981 and 1982—to very nearly double the level when the initiative was launched in 1977. We are always pleased to learn of further opportunities for interchange.