§ Matthew TaylorTo ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 2l January 2002,Official Report, column 594W, on special advisers, how many special advisers have left his Department since May 1997; on how many occasions the Head of his Department has recommended a gap between leaving employment in his Department and taking up outside employment; if he will list the gap for each occasion this has occurred; and if he will make a statement. [30300]
§ The Prime MinisterAs with all civil servants, special advisers are covered by the Business Appointment Rules. They are only required to seek permission to take up outside appointments in the circumstances set out in the rules. Since May 1997, 10 special advisers have left my office. Four submitted applications under the Business Appointment Rules to take up outside appointments. One appointment was subject to a three month waiting period and a restriction and another subject to a restriction only. A further three special advisers have resigned from my office, one to join my political office, one to become a full-time civil servant, and one has been appointed as special adviser to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.