To ask the Prime Minister how many civil servants have requested permission under business appointments rules to join a consultancy firm on their departure in the 2005-06 financial year. (108387)

The independent Advisory Committee on Business Appointments publishes in its annual reports statistical information about the total number of applications considered by Departments and agencies, and its recommendations on the appointments taken up by the most senior Crown servants. The Committee’s Eighth Report covering 2005-06 was published on 24 July 2006. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House, and on the Committee’s website at www.acoba.gov.uk