§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Prime Minister if he has received the second report of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if he will make a statement. [98382]
§ The Prime MinisterThe Committee has submitted its second report to me and I have today placed copies in the Libraries of both Houses. Since 1975 the Committee has advised the Prime Minister of the day on the propriety of business appointments that Crown servants wish to take up when they leave Crown service. Following a recommendation of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, it now also provides advice directly to former Ministers on their business appointments. The Committee's second report provides an account of their work in 1998–99.
I am very grateful to all the members for giving their time so generously to this important role. I should like to thank in particular the former Chairman, the right hon. the Lord Carlisle of Bucklow QC, who served with distinction for a number of years, as did the right hon. Lord Thomson of Monifieth, General Sir Charles Huxtable and Sir Robin Ibbs. I also join all members of the Committee in paying tribute to Lord Gillmore who died in March.