Police: Retirement

Debate between Baroness Howe of Idlicote and Baroness Neville-Jones

Monday 6th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, I am sure that the House shares the sentiments that the noble Lord has just expressed and I have no doubt that the police do too.

[Baroness Howe of Idlicote]

My Lords, where does age discrimination fit in here, if it fits in at all, either legally, if the discrimination legislation has come into force, or morally?

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

The regulation relates to the number of years of service that an officer accrues—that is, 30 years—and it is the only measure that the police have under the existing system for retiring people in the public interest. However, that does not necessarily correlate to anyone’s age. I do not think that it is an age discrimination matter; it is a length of service issue.

Immigration: Detention of Children

Debate between Baroness Howe of Idlicote and Baroness Neville-Jones

Monday 11th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

My Lords, we intend to end the detention of children for immigration purposes.

[Baroness Howe of Idlicote]

My Lords, if, in fact, children of school age and their families are still being detained together, will the Minister assure the House that education in outside schooling will be provided?

[Baroness Neville-Jones]

The emphasis of our policy is obviously on keeping families together. I trust that we will not be in a situation in which children are detained for any length of period at all; but certainly if they were, education would be a very important factor.