§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what feasibility study he has undertaken of making the euro legal tender in the UK in tandem with the pound sterling. [7311]
§ Ruth KellyNone. The Government's policy on membership of the single currency remains as set out by the Chancellor in October 1997, and restated by the Prime Minister to the House of Commons in February 1999. The determining factor underpinning any Government
Department/agency Compulsory retirement age Comments HM Treasury 60 for all staff Debt Management Office (HMT agency) 60 for all staff Office of Government Commerce 60 for new starters joining OGC post 1 April 2001 Some staff have reserved rights to be retained up to age 65 and there are short-service concessions for some staff who have less than 20 years' service HM Customs and Excise 60 for all staff Discretion in some cases for retention of those with shortage skills beyond age 60, subject to meeting health and efficiency requirements Inland Revenue 60 for all staff Discretion in some cases for retention beyond age 60, subject to meeting health and efficiency requirements, plus a short-service concession for those with less than 25 years pensionable service Government Actuary's Department 60 for all staff Office for National Statistics 60 for all staff Some staff have reserved rights to retire between the ages of 60 and 64 and field force interviewers employed on a fee-paid basis, have a compulsory retirement age of 65