§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ensure that civil servants currently employed in the ECGD have freedom of choice as to whether they remain in the civil service or transfer to the proposed privatised company.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 February 1991]: I refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State on 18 December 1989 at cols 23–24:
ECGD staff will be asked whether they wish to remain within the Civil Service, or to transfer to the new company. ECGD will use its best endeavours to meet their wishes where these are consistent with the business needs of ECGD and the company.This remains the Government's intention.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what training and development opportunities he will make available to civil servants currently employed within the ECGD who decide that their future choice is to continue in the civil service rather than moving into a privatised company.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 12 February 1991]: All staff who remain within ECGD will continue to benefit from that Department's training and career development facilities, including appropriate training if any change of job is involved. Other civil service departments would provide similar facilities for anyone who might transfer from ECGD.