§ Viscount Allenby of Megiddoasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to introduce new regulations governing the employment of retired officers in the armed forces; and whether they will give an undertaking that any new regulations will not adversely affect retired officers employed in the armed forces.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe):Service officers may on retirement apply for positions in mainstream civil service grades in the Ministry of Defence, subject to their having the appropriate qualifications and experience, In addition, those having relevant experience not obtainable outside the armed services may be employed as retired officers. These are civil service posts. New parameters for the recruitment to the retired officer grades are about to be introduced. The main points are a minimum age of 50 for recruitment under normal circumstances, and a system of fixed term appointments of up to five years. Staff already in retired officer posts will retain their existing terms of appointment.