§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Prime Minister which grades of civil servants require clearance before taking up posts with outside organisations and companies; what are the procedures involved for such a clearance; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterAll civil servants at grade 3 or above must obtain approval before taking any form of outside employment within two years of leaving Crown employment, unless it is unpaid employment in a non-commercial organisation.
The circumstances in which other civil servants must seek approval before taking up outside employment and the detailed procedures for dealing with applications, including the role of the independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, are set out in the rules on the acceptance of appointments by Crown servants. These are included in the 1989 statistical report "Acceptance of Outside Appointments by Crown Servants", a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House of Commons.