§ Mr. Doverasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the regulations regarding the length of time that should elapse between a member of his Procurement Executive leaving the Department and joining a private sector company which has recently been awarded a contract by his Department.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonAll members of the Ministry of Defence, civilian and military are required to seek formal approval prior to accepting any appointment with a defence-related business. This requirement extends for a period of two years after either retirement or resignation. This process provides the Department with the opportunity to examine the circumstances of the proposed appointment, the individual's past official contact with the company and it's competitors. Waiting periods, when imposed, may vary depending on the relevant circumstances. Approval of an application may be withheld for a period of up to two years following an individual's retirement or resignation.