37. Brigadier Clarkeasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if workers in His Majesty's Dockyards will now be able to qualify for established posts up to the age of 65 years.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsNo, Sir. The current agreement made by the Joint Coordinating Committee for Government Industrial Establishments provides that men may not be nominated for establishment after their sixtieth birthday.
Brigadier ClarkeDoes the Minister realise that this is not in accordance with the Government's plan to keep men in employment? Should not the Admiralty, as a Government Department, set an example in allowing people to serve up to the age of 65, which is what they are encouraging private employers to do?
§ Mr. EdwardsThis has nothing to do with the Government's plan for keeping people in employment. Being on the establishment means that a man will get a pension when he leaves the Service rather than a gratuity as a result of the number of years service which he has given to the Admiralty. Established and non-established men can still work until the age of 65 if they so desire. I should like to point out that the age limit in this case has been raised to 60 from 50 since 1945.