Written question asked by Tony Wright (Labour) on Monday, 9 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 May 2001. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is.

Answer: Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what age limit is placed on appointments to public bodies in his Department; if this limit is mentioned in advertisements for such posts; and what the basis for this limit is. [158107] Dr. Howells: As a general rule, none of the public appointments made by my Department has age limits, whether upper or lower, attached to them. The only exceptions to this general rule are a number of judicial appointments. They are: Employment Tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal The retirement age is 70 for current members of these tribunals and will be 65 for all members appointed after 2000. Advertisements generally specify that applicants should be in a position to serve a full three year term before reaching the retirement age. This is based on the need to obtain a reasonable return of service for the investment in recruitment and training of the successful applicants. Central Arbitration Committee The current CAC Chairman is a High Court Judge and is therefore subject to arrangements for the judiciary. In the last recruitment round for Deputy Chairmen and Members no age limit was stipulated in the advertisement.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 158107; 367 c687-8W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Advertising Age Department of Trade and Industry Government departments Recruitment Public appointments Public bodies
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk