§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister for the Civil Service, in view of the growing practice of senior civil servants retiring on index-linked pensions and going into private and public services full-time and part-time where such appointments could and in some instances must conflict with their previous employment, whether he will take action to prevent such appointments being taken up until at least five years have elapsed from retirement.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisAs I know my hon. Friend is aware, there are rules which relate to the acceptance by former civil servants of certain appointments after retirement. These are set out in paragraph 9961 of the Civil Service pay and conditions service code, a copy of which is in the Library. They include provision for cases at the highest level to be referred by the Prime Minister to an independant advisory committee whose chairman is presently my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Diamond. The committee reports its conclusions directly to the Prime Minister. I also refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 23d Marsh to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Kilroy-Silk)—[Vol. 946. c. 681)—showing the relatively small number of applications under the rules received from senior civil servants of under-secretary grade or above. My hon. Friend is also no doubt aware that the same rules apply to members of the24W Diplomatic Service and the Armed Forces. I am satisfied that the existing rules provide adequate safeguards and that they are not abused.