§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will hold an inquiry into the system of approvals for senior members of his Department to join industrial firms on retirement.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldNo.
§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Industry what advice is given to retiring senior civil servants joining companies with which they have had close working relations.
§ Mr. Les Huckfield, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16 February 1979; Vol. 962, c. 676], gave the following information:
Like any other civil servant, a senior officer who, with the consent of the Government, joins a company with which he has had official contact, is reminded on leaving the Civil Service that he may not divulge information obtained in the course of his official duties. The Government's consent may include further conditions for example in relation to the individual's future participation in dealings with Government or with competitor firms.