§ Dr. Winstanleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the average age of the members of the tribunal on Plant Variety Rights; what are the ages of the youngest and the oldest members of the tribunal; and what provision exists for removal of members from the tribunal on grounds of age or incapacity.
§ Mr. MackieThe average age of the Chairman of the Plant Variety Rights Tribunal and of the panels from which the other members are selected is estimated to be 58. The age of the youngest member is 40 and of the oldest 82. The Plant Varieties and Seeds Act, 1964 provides for the appointment of the chairmen for such terms as may be determined by the Lord Chancellor. the Lord President of the Court of Session, and the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, for re-appointments, and for the removal of a chairman on grounds of unfitness, or incapacity; and for the drawing up of the panels by the agricultural Ministers, for their revision from time to time, and, subject to the provisions of Section 5 of the Tribunals and Inquiries Act, 1958, for the termination of the appointment of a member. Panel members are normally appointed for three years at a time.