§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards reinstatement in the British Civil Service of former British civil servants who have taken up posts in the European Economic Community Commission and who have subsequently been made redundant by that organisation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe Community terms of service common to all its institutions do not recognise any form of secondment from national civil services for permanent staff; officers must therefore resign from the United Kingdom Civil Service on taking up an appointment with the Communities. It is important to promote full United Kingdom representation in the European Communities; individuals are encouraged to apply for advertised vacancies as part of their career development and Departments have discretion to offer a guarantee of reinstatement.
Officers given the guarantee of reinstatement have an absolute right of return to their substantive grade for the first five years after departure from the United Kingdom Civil Service. Thereafter, until the 55th birthday the right of return is retained but is not absolute. The parent Department, and the Cabinet Office (MPO) on behalf of the service in general, undertake to use their best endeavours to find an officer a post in his substantive grade. Where a post cannot be found, the officer is retired prematurely on grounds of redundancy.
An officer who has been absent for more than five years and is aged 55 or over has no right of return, but may be reinstated in accordance with normal procedure.