Lord Wallace of Coslanyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What rules apply, on age and other grounds, to the employment by hospitals of retired consultants on a part-time locum basis.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur): A health authority may employ a locum hospital doctor over the age of 70 if my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has issued a variation order to permit this; otherwise employment of any doctor over the age of 70 is precluded under the terms of service. Variation orders would usually be given only for particular individuals for specific periods on the understanding that a younger doctor is not available.