§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make it his policy that advice and counselling for civil servants employed by ECGD on their future career options should be provided from sources outside that department.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 February 1991]: ECGD staff are able to seek advice and counselling on career matters within the Department in the usual way. They are also free to seek advice from other sources if they wish.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements he has made to provide advice and counselling for civil servants employed within the ECGD, and in particular those in the insurance services group, on their future career options in the light of Government's policy to privatise the ECGD.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 February 1991]: The ECGD has provided all its staff with a summary of their existing terms and conditions of employment, including pensions, to help them compare the terms and conditions which will be offered by the prospective owners of the privatised company. The ECGD has also arranged a series of career decision workshops to help staff in their approach to the issues involved in decisions about their future careers. When the private sector terms and conditions on offer are known, the Government Actuary's department will express a view about their compliance with the requirements of the Transfer of Undertakings 554W (Protection of Employment) Regulations 1981 and this will be transmitted to staff. All ECGD staff are, of course, able to take advantage of the Department's normal facilities for career guidance and counselling.