Press Officers

Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Service – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 10 Mehefin 1991.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Mr Tony Banks Mr Tony Banks , Newham North West 12:00, 10 Mehefin 1991

To ask the Minister for the Civil Service how many former press officers have been vetted by the business appointments committee for subsequent employment in the last 12 months.

Photo of Mr Timothy Renton Mr Timothy Renton , Mid Sussex

It is not our practice to provide detailed information of this kind about the operation of business appointment rules. Individual applications are received and treated in confidence.

Photo of Mr Tony Banks Mr Tony Banks , Newham North West

Would it not be appropriate for Sir Bernard Ingham to be vetted as a former press officer—preferably with two bricks? After all, he played the role of deputy Prime Minister, undermined democratically elected Cabinet Ministers, contravened the Official Secrets Act and knows where all the bodies are buried. Is it not outrageous that he can go outside the civil service and earn vast amounts of money for those misdeeds?

Photo of Mr Timothy Renton Mr Timothy Renton , Mid Sussex

I appreciate that the hon. Gentleman has a lot of fun asking such a question, but for two years Sir Bernard Ingham cannot take up any outside commercial appointment without first seeking approval and without the application being scrutinised by the advisory committee on business appointments, which is chaired by Lord Carlisle.

Photo of Mr Michael Marshall Mr Michael Marshall , Arundel

Is it not true that, subject to the appropriate vetting to which my right hon. Friend referred, there is every incentive to allow senior civil servants to move into industry? We need more interchange between the civil service and the private sector. One of our great national failings is that there is not enough.

Photo of Mr Timothy Renton Mr Timothy Renton , Mid Sussex

I agree with my hon. Friend. There is much more interchange between the private sector and the civil service in France, permitting a much more balanced and wide-ranging career structure. Interchange is to be encouraged.