§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in how many cases since 13 May 1985 company staff seconded to the Defence Export Services Organisation continued to have their salary and allowances paid by the original company; and what written guidelines to cover this situation have been issued. [17798]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotNine staff have been seconded to DESO under MOD's interchange programme since May 1985.
Inward secondees remain the employees of their parent company. As such, the company continues to be responsible for payment of salary, pension contributions, company medical plan payments, earnings-related national insurance contribution, etcetera, in accordance with company rules. As part of the formal agreement between MOD and the company, the Department reimburses salary and other costs at the rate equivalent to the civil service grade held by the secondee.
537WGuidance on the payment of secondees into the civil service has been issued in the civil service management code. This states that, subject to general rules on pay— pay levels, etcetera, and the appointment of secondees, the actual secondment terms are a matter for negotiation between the receiving organisation, the sending employer and the secondee.