questionText: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether there is a maximum length of time that a (a) junior and (b) senior civil servant appointed by exception can serve as a civil servant without being appointed by open and fair competition.
answerText: A civil servant can only hold an appointment at any grade for up to two years if appointed by exception. This can be extended with prior approval from the Civil Service Commission.
heading: Civil Servants: Recruitment