§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what number of personnel above retirement age are retained on his Department's strength.
§ Mr. SpeedCivil servants normally retire on reaching age 60 but some, mainly industrial and lower paid non-industrial staff, continue in employment up to age 65 if they and management so wish. Retention beyond 65 is authorised only for exceptional management reasons.
At present, some 21,700 Ministry of Defence civilians are aged 60 to 64; under 700 are 65 or over.