§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many individuals have been seconded(a) from the Civil Service to industry and (b) from industry to the Civil Service under the Interchange initiative, since its establishment. [60028]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Interchange Unit was set up in the Cabinet Office in May 1997 and has collected statistics for the financial years 1996–97 and 1997–98. The total number of inward secondments to the civil service from industry for this period was 581; outward secondments to industry numbered 889.
§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what budget has been allocated to the Interchange initiative for(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99 and (c) 1999–2000. [60029]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Interchange Unit was allocated a budget of £380.00 for 1997–98, and £146,365 for 1998–99. The budget for 1999–2000 has not yet been set but is unlikely to exceed the current figure.
§ Mr. CotterTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he has taken to promote the Interchange initiative. [60016]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Interchange Unit in the Cabinet Office has been actively involved in encouraging departments to increase their Interchange activity with business, local authorities, health service, academia and small businesses. It has produced a range of publicity material, including a video, aimed at raising awareness and increasing understanding and participation in the initiative. The Unit also took a stand at the Institute of Personnel Development exhibition in Harrogate in October and the CBI conference in Birmingham in November. To publicise the initiative, I hope in the near future to arrange a working706W breakfast to be attended by a range of key decision makers from all sectors of the economy participating in interchange.