HC Deb 27 June 1950 vol 476 cc2069-71
5. Sir Herbert Williams

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he is taking to facilitate the employment of persons over 60 years of age.

Mr. Isaacs

I have already raised this matter with the representative bodies in industry, who have promised to do all that they can to ensure that the Government's policy of making the fullest possible use of older persons is known and that there is co-operation in carrying it out. The local offices of the Ministry have been instructed to take every opportunity of persuading employers to consider older men on their merits. I hope that by this means a change in outlook on the part of individual employers will be brought about.

Sir H. Williams

Could the right hon. Gentleman say why the Foreign Office are automatically sacking people as soon as they reach the age of 65?

Mr. Isaacs

It would have been much more reasonable if the hon. Gentleman had put that question down, instead of a general Question like this, and then I would have tried to answer it.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Is the Minister not aware that his own Department is one of the worst sinners in turning off very large numbers of men of 55 and over?

Mr. Isaacs

We are by no means sinners in this respect, since we are carrying out the desires of the House in reducing our staff when there is no longer any need for their services. We have to take all factors into consideration. When there are to be discharges we discharge those in the older groups, when they are pensionable, in preference to others.

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Is the Minister aware that his Department are filling a number of jobs in certain towns with young new entrants, whereas some of the older people could quite reasonably well continue to perform them?

Mr. Isaacs

It is the same in this business as in any other business. One has to provide for apprenticeship for future employment.

Mr. Hudson

Why does the right hon. Gentleman expect a higher standard from private industry than he sets in his own Department?

Mr. Isaacs

I resent that; we do not expect a higher standard. We are doing our best to get outside industries to do as well as we are doing in the Government.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what progress has been made in this matter since it was debated last November, particularly in the case of those employing men over 40 years of age?

Mr. Isaacs

If the hon. and gallant Member will put that question down I will try to give him full information.