HC Deb 01 December 1989 vol 162 c455W
Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what declaration as to their continuing obligations under the Official Secrets Act will have to be signed by the present staff of the Training Agency in the event of that being transferred to the private sector.

Mr. Eggar

All civil servants leaving Government employment are reminded that they remain subject to the provisions of the Official Secrets Act and are asked to sign a declaration to this effect.

Mr. Canavan

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what declaration as to their continuing obligations under the Official Secrets Act was signed by those civil servants, formerly employed by his Department, who have transferred, along with functions, to the private sector; what monitoring procedures exist to see that the provisions of that declaration are maintained; and whether those who have transferred are permitted to use the records originally compiled under the rules of confidentiality relating to information held by the Civil Service.

Mr. Eggar

All employees of the Department are required to sign a declaration that they will not disclose official secrets both when they join and on leaving. The declaration summarises the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1911 as amended by the Official Secrets Act 1920. These provisions apply both during their appointment to a Government Department and after that appointment has ceased.