asked the Prime Minister when she expects to announce new regulations for the secondment of business men to the Civil Service.
As I told the hon. Member on 4 April at col. 713, the Civil Service Commissioners are considering with their legal advisers new procedures to ensure that future appointments on secondment are made in compliance with the Civil Service Order in Council 1982. These procedures will be introduced as soon as it is possible to do so. Until then, it is important that departments are still able to arrange new secondments. All such proposals are being referred to the commissioners and are being considered on an individual basis against the background of the provisions and discretionary powers contained in the Order in Council.