HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 cc498-9W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) men and (b) women employed by (1) his Department and (2) his Department's agencies have contracts of employment which permit them to retire after their 60th birthday. [53049]

Mr. Hoon

For the Lord's Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service, Public Trust Office, Public Record Office, Land Registry and the Northern Ireland Court Service, the information is set out in the table.

Men Women
Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters 164 260
Court Service Agency 2,713 5,577
Public Trust Office 194 235
Public Record Office 7 0
Land Registry See below
Northern Ireland Court Service 197 358

Note:

1. As at 27 July 1998, the Land Registry employs 8,895 people: (a) 3,148 men and (b) 5,747 women. The terms of employment for staff in the Land Registry (with the exception of those in the Senior Civil Service (SCS) are governed by the "Land Registry Conditions of Service Code"

2. The conditions of service for all staff in the Land Registry include a normal retirement age of 60, with provision for an annual review of projected operational and staffing needs to determine whether individuals may remain in service to a maximum age of 65. However, staff in administrative grades at EO equivalent and above, on reaching the age of 62 with 30 years service, are required to downgrade one grade. If any member of staff in this category wishes to remain in service beyond the 63rd birthday, they are required to downgrade to an AO equivalent grade. There are currently 3,534 staff in administrative grades at EO equivalent and above, (excluding the SCS) of whom 38 are aged 60 and over (25 men and 13 women)

Mr. Chope

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many(a) men and (b) women aged over 60 years were employed by (i) his Department and (ii) his Department's agencies on 1 January. [53072]

Mr. Hoon

For the Lord Chancellor's Department, including the Court Service, Public Trust Office, Public Record Office, Land Registry and the Northern Ireland Court Service, the information is set out in the table.

Men Women
Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters 11 7
Court Service Agency 186 400
Public Trust Office 14 5
Public Record Office 7 nil
Land Registry 156 110
Northern Ireland Court Service 25 6