§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Minister for the Civil Service what was the level of interchange between the civil service and outside organisations in 1989.
§ Mr. LuceMy Department's report on the interchange of staff between the civil service and other organisations in 1989 shows that the number of long-term secondments—that is, those of at least three months' duration—between the civil service and industrial or commercial organisations increased by 24 per cent. in 1989 to 627. There was also an increase—of 6 per cent.—in the number of long-term secondments between the civil service and non-business organisations, of which there were 530 in 1989.
189WThese figures represent a considerable advance on those for the previous year. They reflect the increased secondment activity generated by the Bridge programme which was launched by my right hon. and noble Friend the then Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and I in March 1989.
A copy of the 1989 interchange report has been placed in the Library.