To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) how many reports have been made to his Department’s nominated officers under paragraph 16 of the revised Civil Service Code since its publication on 6 June 2006; (162459)

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 19 November 2007, Official Report, column 597W.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many people aged (a) 30 to 39, (b) 40 to 49, (c) 50 to 59 and (d) 60 to 69 years have (i) applied for jobs, (ii) received interviews and (iii) gained (A) temporary and (B) permanent jobs in his Department in 2007. (165120)

Data on the age of applicants and interviewees are not available as DEFRA does not request this information. Date of birth is requested only from successful candidates. DEFRA is committed to creating an inclusive workplace, and to ensuring that there is no discrimination on the basis of age. By not asking candidates to disclose their date of birth there is a greater degree of objectivity built in the recruitment and appointment process.

The number of staff in each age band who gained temporary or permanent employment in DEFRA between 1 January and 19 November 2007 is shown in the following table.