§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 24 January 2002,Official Report, column 1041W, on special advisers, how many special advisers have left his Department since May 1997; on how many occasions the head of his Department has recommended a gap between leaving employment in his Department and taking up outside employment; if he will list the gap for each occasion this has occurred; and if he will make a statement. [31594]
§ Dr. WhiteheadSince May 1997 10 special advisers have left the Department. Special advisers, like other civil servants, are subject to the business appointment rules which require them to seek approval for taking up outside employment in defined circumstances. Following consideration by the Independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, a gap of six months was recommended in one case.