HC Deb 10 April 1984 vol 58 cc144-5W
Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what are the terms and conditions, including the salary, paid to his special adviser Mr. Jeffrey Sterling;

(2) whether his special adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling, has the status of a temporary civil servant.

Mr. Tebbit

Mr. Sterling was appointed as my special adviser to give expert advice. His appointment is unpaid and on a part-time basis and his terms of employment are based, as appropriate, on those of civil servants.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his special adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling, has been asked to divest himself of his directorships or shareholdings.

Mr. Tebbit

No.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will publish the formal exchange of letters which preceded the appointment of Mr. Jeffrey Sterling as his special adviser.

Mr. Tebbit

No. Such formal letters of appointment are not normally made public.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what procedures were adopted for vetting the shareholdings of Mr. Jeffrey Sterling under paragraph 9874 of the Civil Service Code of Conduct.

Mr. Tebbit

Paragraph 9874 of the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code places the onus on the individual civil servant to seek advice if he believes his private shareholdings may conflict with his official duties. Mr. Sterling has disclosed his shareholdings and other private interests. He is not involved in Departmental matters which relate to companies in which he has an interest.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling, has access to commercial information regarded as confidential.

Mr. Tebbit

Yes.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling, has signed the Official Secrets Act.

Mr. Tebbit

Yes.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list all the commercial interests of his special adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling.

Mr. Tebbit

No.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his special adviser, Mr. Jeffrey Sterling, has been asked to advise on policy regarding privatisation.

Mr. Tebbit

Yes.