§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the(a) set retirement age applying to all or most personnel and (b) maximum age beyond which applications for employment will not be considered is for each department of the House. [186374]
§ Sir Archy KirkwoodGeneral conditions of service are House-wide rather than on a departmental basis. House of Commons staff normally work until the age of 65, which is currently the maximum retirement age. They may, however, retire at any time between 60 and 65 if they wish. Applications for most posts are accepted up to the age of 65 with the exception of casual appointments, where applicants may be appointed over the age of 65. House policy will be reviewed in the light of the age discrimination regulations, which we understand will come into effect in October 2006.