HC Deb 06 March 1970 vol 797 cc190-1W
Dr. Winstanley

asked the Minister of Transport what is the average age of the members of the Transport Tribunal; what is the age of the youngest and the oldest member, respectively; and what provision exists for the removal of members of the tribunal on the grounds of age or incapacity.

Mr. Mulley

64, 61 and 69 respectively; there are two vacancies. The president may also be assisted, on certain matters within the tribunal's juisdiction, by members of a special panel. The ages of the present members of this panel are 39, 42 and 63.

The Tenth Schedule of the Transport Act, 1962, provides that the normal retiring age for the president shall be 72 and for the other members 70. But where it is considered desirable in the public interest the president or any other member may serve up to the age of 75.

The president may be removed from his office on account of misbehaviour or inability to perform his duties. There is no explicit statutory provision for removal of members other than the president on the grounds of incapacity, but in practice I would not expect this to give rise to difficulty.