§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he has implemented to ensure that recruitment and promotion policy in his Department does not directly or indirectly discriminate against applicants who were mature students or women returning to work following a career break due to child care.
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department has a policy of fair and open competition in recruitment and promotion. The only upper age limit for new entrants recruited directly by the Department is that they need to be able to give five years' service before retirement. Staff are not normally selected for promotion within two years of retirement.
Women are encouraged to return to work by arrangements for reinstatement and by the availability of part-time working, job sharing, and special leave for domestic reasons.