§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken to ensure that the appointment of Mr. Muir Russell as a non-executive director of Stage Coach plc is compatible with his position as a civil servant; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 8 February 1993]: Mr. Russell"s appointment is one of many made nationally to build bridges between the civil service and the business community. There is now within the Scottish Office a substantial bank of experience of such appointments, which must comply with the normal principles of conduct for civil servants. In addition new guidance has been published by the Office of Public Service and Science to supplement departmental rules and procedures on such appointments. Mr. Russell's appointment is entirely compatible with the guidance.