§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has had about the operation of the 35 year age limit for new blood posts in universities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeThe three year new blood programme, announced by my right hon. Friend in December 1982, is designed to give additional scope for institutions to recruit bright young researchers and lecturers who might otherwise not have had the opportunity of university employment. Both the Government and the University Grants Committee (UGC) have received a small number of representations about the 35 year age limit, particularly in relation to women. The UGC has reconsidered the limit but has concluded that generally it should be maintained, except in the case of clinically qualified appointments in 1985–86 (the final year of the programme), where the age limit has been extended to 38.