§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department and its agencies were seconded from the(a) private and (b) academic sector in each of the last three years. [174821]
§ Alun MichaelThe number of staff in Defra and its agencies seconded from the private and academic sector in each of the last three years is shown in the following table:
Private sector Academic sector 2001–02 4 2 2002–03 4 0 2003–04 7 0 The purpose of bringing people into the Civil Service from other sectors is to fill skills gaps and to add dimensions and insights from outside. For the individuals themselves, the secondment provides experience of another sector and an opportunity to enhance existing skills and develop others.
Secondments are part of the Interchange Initiative which promotes the exchange of people and good practice between the Civil Service and other organisations. Before an interchange can occur, all parties must be satisfied that no conflict of interest arises.