§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the increasing number of people who have left his Department for positions in industry between 1980 and 1984; and if he is taking steps to ensure the integrity of his Department's contracting procedure in the light of this outflow.
§ Mr. LeeApplications under the business appointments rules for each of the years in question were:
Year Number 1980 141 1981 206 1982 400 1983 541 1984 680 Guidelines for the acceptance of appointments in industry, which are laid down by the Management and Personnel Office, are designed to prevent impropriety occurring in any form, including Ministry of Defence 375W contracting procedures. The views of the Directors of Defence Contracts are invariably taken into account on any proposed appointments. I am satisfied that these procedures are appropriate to handle any suspicion of impropriety and unfair competition.
§ Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what are the conditions imposed on his Department's personnel who leave for positions in industry.
§ Mr. LeeThe guidelines under which members of my Department, either military or civilian, are required to seek approval for the acceptance of an appointment in industry are laid down centrally by the Management and Personnel Office.
Any individual proposing to accept an appointment with a company in either a contractual or financial relationship with the Ministry of Defence must submit a formal application for permission to do so. For the grade of under-secretary, major general and equivalent and upwards an application is required in respect of any appointment, regardless of its nature.
The Department forms a view as to whether the appointment might be a source of potential criticism on the basis of contractual involvement or as a result of other companies' commercially sensitive information.
The Department may withhold its approval of an application for a period of up to two years.