§ Ms Janet AndersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the type of vetting his Department uses in respect of higher executive officers on the graduate recruitment scheme; and what account is taken of their party political and other high-profile activities prior to their employment in his Department.
§ Mr. AitkenHigher executive officers on the graduate recruitment scheme are vetted to positive vetting (secret) level and will be subject to higher levels of vetting appropriate to the nature of work upon which they are employed. They are expected to perform their duties as civil servants with complete political impartiality, regardless of any previous political associations or activities.