§ 37. Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Minister of Labour if, seeing that certain Government Departments refuse to give employment to men of the age of 55 and over, he will circulate instructions to ensure that no man above this age is refused benefit on the ground that he is not genuinely seeking work?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDNo, Sir, I have no authority to issue any such instructions. The determination of claims to benefit is a matter not for me but for the independent statutory authorities.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDMay I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that I have been informed by one of his colleagues that this is the practice of certain public Departments, and how can 1953 he expect men to seek work if it is refused by these Departments to these men?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDI do not know what the hon. Member may have been told by anyone, but I can tell him that the facts are as I have stated in the reply.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDMay I ask him to use his influence with his colleagues in other Departments not to refuse work to men over 55 years of age?
§ Sir A. STEEL-MAITLANDThe best thing the hon. Member can do is to communicate with the Government Departments concerned.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDI have done so.