HC Deb 18 December 1995 vol 268 cc987-8W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 December,Official Report, column 475, what were the restrictions imposed on nine of the applications made under the business appointments procedure; and what period of time elapsed in each case between applications and acceptance. [6596]

Mr. Soames

Seven applications were approved subject to waiting periods. The other two applications were approved subject to bans on the involvement of the applicant in particular projects or areas of work. There is no requirement under the business appointment rules for staff to report to the department whether or not appointments are taken up. It is not possible to say, therefore, what time elapsed between application and acceptance.

Dr. Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 11 December,Official Report, column 475, how many of the former serving officers listed by rank as making applications under the business appointments procedure were approved (a) immediately and (b) within two years of making such an application. [6595]

Mr. Soames

The business appointment rules apply for two years after an individual leaves Crown service. All the officers concerned made their applications within that period of time, and they were informed of the Department's decision as soon as it had been reached. In the shortest case this was within one week of the date of application and in the longest 15 weeks.