HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 c709W
Mr. English

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the light of the prospective employment of the previous Cabinet Secretary by a nationalised industry of a foreign State and a foreign-owned company, she will introduce legislation to implement the relevant recommendations of the last Parliament's Expenditure Committee which would, if implemented, give her power to prevent civil servants leaving Her Majesty's service to take other jobs.

The Prime Minister

In accordance with the rules on acceptance of outside business appointments by Crown servants—published as appendix 15 of the report of the Royal Commission on Standards of Conduct in Public Life, Cmnd. 6524–the former Cabinet Secretary obtained the Government's prior assent to his acceptance of post-retirement employment. I have at present no plans to introduce legislation governing civil servants' acceptance of outside business appointments, but will continue to watch how the present rules are working.