§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Prime Minister what progress he has made in setting out regulations to prohibit Ministers and civil servants who have been involved in dealings with the oil industry on the terms of licences, royalties or the basis of future exploration, from taking up appointments in the oil industry or related industries within 10 years of leaving their offices.
§ The Prime MinisterThe rules governing civil servants are clear. Senior civil servants, and certain categories of civil servants of lower rank, have to obtain permission to enter the employment of a firm with which the Government have a relationship, or where the firm might obtain an unfair advantage through knowledge obtained during his service. Applications are carefully considered by the Department concerned, and where necessary referred to the Minister in charge of the Department and to me. The obligation to obtain permission lapses two years after resignation or retirement from the Civil Service. The rules have in general worked satisfactorily. They are kept under review but I have at present no proposals to alter them. Former Ministers are not subject to these rules. They have to be guided by their own sense of what is fitting.