§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Aviation how many officers of Her Majesty's Forces have been seconded to his Department over the past 10 years; how many of those, who, under his regulations, were required to notify him, have, on resignation or retirement, joined industrial or commercial enterprises; and to what extent restraint is exercised upon those officers upon leaving his service.
§ Mr. AmeryDuring the past 10 years between 1,000 and 2,000 serving officers have been seconded to my Department. The exact number could not be determined without laborious inquiries. Some officers were seconded for more than one tour of duty during the period.
Although my Department was consulted by the Service Departments about applications from officers who had been seconded and who wish to join industrial or commercial enterprises, the responsibility for deciding whether to grant or to withhold such approval rested with the appropriate Service Minister.