§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many people were temporarily seconded to his Department from outside occupations in each of the last 10 years; and from what types of employment they came;
(2) how many civil servants in his Department were seconded to outside occupations in each of the last 10 years in order to broaden their experience; and which specific types of employment were involved.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo comprehensive figures are available for the years 1970–73. In subsequent years the following numbers of temporary secondments involving the Departments of Industry and Trade were started, mostly to and from industry and commerce:
Year Outward Inward 1974 9 9 1975 5 14 1976 6 14 1977 13 15 1978 16 11 1979 13 17 Over 83 per cent. of these secondments were for periods of one year or more. No separate figures for the individual Departments are available since secondments are handled jointly as part of the common services arrangements.