§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether steps were taken to ensure compliance with the Civil Service general principles of conduct, section 9870B, in the case of the appointment of Mr. P. K. Levene as his personal adviser;
(2) whether advice was given to Mr. P. K. Levene to ensure his compliance with paragraph 9874 of the Civil Service general principles of conduct concerning shareholdings.
§ Mr. HeseltineMr. Levene is not a civil servant and is not therefore formally subject to the terms and conditions of service applicable to civil servants.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence what specific steps have been taken to avoid a possible conflict of interest involved in the appointment of 433W the chairman of United Scientific Holdings and the vice-chairman of the Defence Manufacturers' Association to examine possible contracts for defence weapons and naval refitting.
§ Mr. HeseltineBefore I ask for Mr. Levene's advice on a matter, I make inquiries to establish whether he has any commercial interest in it.
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will give an assurance that to avoid any possible conflict of interest neither United Scientific 434W Holdings nor the members of the Defence Manufacturers' Association will benefit financially from recommendations arising from the review work of Mr. P. K. Levene.
§ Mr. HeseltineThe purpose of Mr. Levene's appointment is to advise me on matters related to the efficient running of the Ministry of Defence, and thereby to secure better value for money for the Department. Any recommendations that Mr. Levene makes which affect industry will be applied so as to ensure equality of treatment.