§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) industrial and (b) non-industrial staff of his Department are to be compulsorily retired at the age of 60 during the present financial year; and what is his estimate of the number of such compulsory retirements during 1982–83.
§ Mr. PattieCivilian employees of the Ministry of Defence retire at a variety of ages between 60 and 65 depending upon the grade or class to which they belong, existence of suitable vacancies, continued efficiency and fitness for work and length of pensionable service. Of those whose required retirement date is 60, we expect 770 non-industrials to be retired this year and 730 in 1982–93. MOD industrial staff are normally allowed to continue in employment, if they so wish, up to the age of 65 provided they are in good health, perform their duties satisfactorily and occupy an approved post. Records of their actual age of retirement are not kept centrally, but numbers of 60-year-olds affected are low.