To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people aged (a) over 55 years of age and (b) over 60 years of age have been recruited by his Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage in each case this is of the number of new recruits in each year. (145701)

The figures in relation to the Northern Ireland Office are as follows:

2004: Four staff recruited aged 55 years or over; this represents 1.7 per cent. of new recruits. Zero staff recruited aged 60 years or over.

2005: One member of staff recruited aged 55 years or over; this represents 0.5 per cent. of new recruits. Zero staff recruited aged 60 years or over.

2006: Three staff recruited aged 55 years or over; this represents 1.5 per cent. of new recruits. One member of staff recruited aged 60 years or over; this represents 0.5 per cent. of new recruits.