§ Mr. JohnTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many civil servants in his Department are also directors or consultants in(a) public liability companies, (b) companies limited by guarantee, (c) building societies, (d) other friendly societies and (e) commercial undertakings other than the above; and what rules or instructions govern these activities with particular reference to remuneration.
§ Mr. Donald Thompson[holding answer 23 May 1988]: As part of a programme for improving awareness of the needs of business, senior officials are from time to time appointed as non-executive directors of commercial companies. At present two officials hold such appointments, for which they receive no remuneration.
Where staff have private business interests of the sort referred to, they are required to seek approval if there is any possibility of conflict with the work of the Department. There are no rules about pay from private business interests.