§ 1. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been received by him from the staff in his Department since 1st November, 1951, to continue in their employment after reaching 65 years of age; how many have been turned down; and when he issued instructions to his Departmental heads to allow men to continue working after reaching the age of 65, provided they are capable of carrying out the work allotted to them.
§ The Minister of Labour (Sir Walter Monckton)It has for many years been the practice in my Department to retain officers in employment beyond the age of 65 in an unestablished or temporary capacity, provided they remain fully fit and efficient and there is a need for their services. No specific application for retention is, therefore, necessary. The number of officers aged 65 and over at present employed in my Department is nearly 600.
§ Mr. DoddsDoes the right hon. and learned Gentleman mean to say, in view of his eloquent request to industry to retain men over 65, that there are men who have applied to stay on in his Department and that their applications have been refused?
§ Sir W. MoncktonI do not mean to say that at all. What I meant to say was that there are 600 over 65 who remain and that. I cannot keep on men in addition to the numbers that are wanted for the proper discharge of the work of the Ministry, much as I may like to do so.