§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many civil servants in his Department have had experience of private industry; where they are employed within his Department; and if he can give comparable information with regard to the number who have had experience of the public sector.
§ Mr. MacGregorFull historic records are not available, but from 1 January 1976 to 31 December 1980 14 civil servants from the Department of Industry have been temporarily seconded to private industry and commerce, and nine to the public sector of industry. Those who have returned to the Department are employed in a wide variety of posts. A number of the Department's staff are known to have had previous industrial experience in one or other sector before joining the Civil Service, but precise figures are not readily available.