§ 38. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning, in view of the growing shortage of labour and to secure a measure of uniformity in local government, he will issue a circular inviting all local authorities not to dispense with the services of their employees on their retirement after 65 years of age, as many are strictly maintaining this arrangement in spite of the fact that those concerned are still capable of continuing their duties satisfactorily.
§ Mr. DaltonI am consulting the associations of local authorities on this question.
§ Mr. FreemanIs my right hon. Friend aware that a lavatory attendant in my constituency in Newport was recently dismissed for no other reason than that he had reached the age of 65, that a younger man has been employed in his place and this man is out of work, and that such anomalies should surely, in view of the shortage of manpower, be rectified?
§ Mr. DaltonI do not want to interfere too much with such very 4tailed matters of local administration. As I have said before, I am not in favour of nationalising local government.
§ Mr. McCorquodaleWill the right hon. Gentleman consult with the Minister of Labour, who gave certain assurances to the House in this matter?
§ Mr. DaltonYes, Sir.