§ Mr. Molloyasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied that the rules governing the acceptance by Crown servants of outside appointments following resignation or retirement are effective; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have reviewed the long-standing rules to make sure that they provide an adequate protection against criticism in present circumstances. I believe that it is very much in the public interest that people with experience of public administration in the Crown service should, in suitable cases, be able to move into business and industry, where their experience and their qualities may be of great value. Obviously, however, it is important that the smooth and sensible working of this arrangement should not be marred by particular cases where there may be suggestions that an appointment is improper.
My general conclusion is that the existing rules are, as my predecessor said in answer to questions in the House, sensible and, on the whole, adequate. But I have decided to make two changes in the way 496W applications to take up commercial appointments within two years of retirement are dealt with when they are made by the most senior Crown servants. I propose to set up a standing advisory committee to which individual cases may be referred. I am pleased to say that the right hon. Lord Diamond has agreed to serve as chairman, and the members will be the right hon. Lord Trend, Deputy Chairman, the right hon. Lord Campbell of Croy, Dame Mildred Riddelsdell and Sir Melvyn Rosser.
I shall myself decide which cases affecting members of the Home Civil Service need to be referred to the committee and the committee will report to me. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs will deal in the same way with any cases affecting members of the Diplomatic Service. I have also specified that there should normally be a minimum period of three months between Permanent Secretaries—or persons of equivalent rank in Her Majesty's Forces—leaving the service and their taking up outside commercial appointments. I am arranging for a copy of the revised rules to be placed in the Library. Diplomatic Service practice will follow similar rules.