To ask the Minister for the Civil Service what civil service guidelines lay down concerning civil servants becoming company directors prior to the termination of employment; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 25 June 1990]: The civil service pay and conditions of service code states that civil servants may not accept a directorship, except as a nominee of the Government or with the express permission of the permanent head of their Department, in any company holding a contract with their Department. More generally, the code provides that civil servants must not subordinate their public duties to their private interests, and must avoid conflicts of interest.