§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to ensure early retirees are not re-employed by the Treasury as consultants; and if he will ensure that early retirees fully comply with rules not to seek paid employment in the private sector, where market sensitive information may have been obtained during the Treasury employment. [17314]
§ Mr. NelsonThe Treasury has no plans to re-employ early retirees as consultants. Civil servants must abide by the rules governing the acceptance of outside appointments within two years of leaving Crown employment. The rules are set out in the civil service management code—a copy of which is available in the Members' Library.
All Treasury staff were recently issued with a booklet, "Information on Outplacement Services and Redundancy Terms", which includes details of the business appointment rules. In addition, staff are reminded of these rules when they leave Crown employment.