HC Deb 12 April 1961 vol 638 cc25-6W
Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General what is the general policy which governs his grant of permission to civil servants on retirement from his Department to take up employment with firms that supply goods to the Post Office.

Mr. Bevins

Post Office policy is governed by the White Paper (Cmd. 5517) issued in 1937 under which civil servants of the rank of under-secretary and above, and more junior officers occupying posts of a special or technical character, are required to seek the approval of the Government before they accept, within a period of two years after their retirement, appointments with firms having, for example, contractual relations with the Government. I consider each case on its merits in the light of the general principles set out in the White Paper.

Mr. Mason

asked the Postmaster-General how many former Post Office servants, who have at one time been employed on duties in the Contracts Department of the General Post Office, are now employed by members of the Telecommunication Engineering and Manufacturing Association.

Mr. Bevins

No one who was employed in the Post Office Contracts Department and who is covered by the White Paper (Cmd. 5517) is employed by an member of the Telecommunications Engineering and Manufacturing Association. No records are maintained of appointments of other staff of the Contracts Department.