asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the retirement age of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

This post is subject to the usual Civil Service rules, which provide that civil servants may retire on pension at the age of 60 though they may continue their services beyond that age at the discretion of their Departments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to appoint a new Director of Public Prosecutions; and if he will make such appointment from the Bar generally and not from within the Directorate.

When a vacancy arises, I shall appoint the best available person.