§ Mr. Martenasked the Prime Minister what instructions he has given to Departments, and to which Departments, to recruit business executives on a temporary or secondment basis; what salaries are to be paid; what are the conditions of such employment; how many posts, and in which Departments, are being so created; and for what purpose.
§ The Prime MinisterNo special instructions have been given. The appointment of temporary civil servants is covered by existing rules.
My right hon. Friend the First Secretary of State has so far appointed one chief industrial adviser and four industrial advisers in the Department of Economic Affairs to work closely with industry to promote efficiency and growth.
They have been engaged for two years on the normal conditions applicable to temporary civil servants.
The chief industrial adviser is employed without cost to public funds. One of the advisers receives a salary of £6,000 a year; in the case of the others the Department pays their previous employers a fee for the use of their services.