HC Deb 17 May 1989 vol 153 c239W
79. Mr. Patnick

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what progress has been made in helping to achieve a greater understanding between Government and business following the publication last year of "Releasing Enterprise".

Mr. Maude

Departments have now drawn up their action programmes to boost the number and range of secondments and attachments of employees from the Civil Service to business and vice versa and the number of civil servants holding non-executive directorships. Overall, these programmes imply a doubling of the numbers involved by the end of this year. On 1 March, the Government launched the bridge programme to alert businesses to these new interchange opportunities and to encourage direct contact with Departments. I sent a copy of the documents to all hon. Members.

Departments' plans also include training, workshops and management action to improve awareness of the impact of Government on enterprise.