HC Deb 01 December 1997 vol 302 c54W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officials in his Department and its agencies, in the grade of assistant secretary and above, or equivalent, took early retirement, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; what is the estimated additional cost of those early retirements; how many in each year retired on(a) medical grounds and (b) grounds related to performance; how many were subsequently re-engaged for any period on a consultancy basis; and if he will make a statement. [18093]

Mr. Straw

Details of the number of officials in the grade of assistant secretary and above, or equivalent—now members of the Senior Civil Service—who retired early, including those leaving on medical grounds, are shown in the table. Information is available only for the last six years. During this period, no early retirements on grounds of performance are recorded.

Number of officials in the Home Department (and agencies) at SCS level (previously grade 5 and above or equivalent) who have taken early retirement since 1992
Year Total retiring early (number onill health grounds in brackets)
1992 1
1993 2
1994 6 (1)
1995 4
1996 119
1997 (to end November) 3 (2)
1 Includes 18 early retirements resulting from loss of senior posts following Home Office Senior Management Review.