§ 42. Mr. J. Griffithsasked the Minister of Labour if he will now publish the result of the survey his Department has made into the incidence of unemployment amongst persons of 50 years of age and over in the area covered by the Lianelly Employment Exchange.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe survey is not yet completed and my right hon. Friend thinks we should wait to see the results before deciding whether publication would be justified. He will, however, let the right hon. Gentleman have statistical information relating to older people in Llanelly as soon as it is available.
§ Mr. GriffithsWhile awaiting the publication of the survey, may I ask whether the Ministry, through its regional and local officers, will do its best to persuade old employers and new employers in these areas that men of 50 have still much to contribute to them and to the nation?
§ Mr. WhitelawI am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman. He and I have discussed this matter before, and I appreciate and share his concern. I think that the right hon. Gentleman knows of one instance in his constituency where this has been done and older workers have been taken on. The more widespread this practice becomes, the better.