§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the position of his Department's employees whose future is being considered by his Department's early retirement board; if they have an automatic right to be legally represented; and if they or their legal representatives have the right to cross-examine his Department's witnesses.
§ Mr. BrittanStaff appearing before a departmental retirement board are told they may be assisted by a friend,420W who may be a staff association representative. These are not legal proceedings and legal representation would not normally be considered appropriate.