HC Deb 07 December 1964 vol 703 cc1037-9
4. Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that men who fall out of employment over the age of 50 years often have serious difficulty in obtaining comparably paid posts; and if he will establish a Departmental inquiry into this problem.

Mr. Gunter

There is a problem here. It is being tackled in a number of ways and I do not think a Departmental inquiry would help at the moment.

Mr. Smith

Is the Minister aware that the parrot cry for "young men and more and more young men" is becoming increasingly apparent in the professions and in industry? Is he further aware that because of this growing trend, many middle-aged men with good qualifications both in the professions and in industry, including clerical work, find it increasingly difficult to get work if they are thrown out of employment, and they feel that society has turned its back on them? Does he not feel that his Department ought to give a lead in these matters in what is a serious human problem?

Mr. Gunter

The Ministry of Labour is trying to give a lead in this matter. I agree with the hon. Gentleman that this is one of the cruellest problems in society at the present time. But this is rather a question of attitudes in industry than of inter-departmental inquiries. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, we are trying through the employment exchange service to encourage employers to get away from this rigid attitude. In addition, I propose that the National Joint Advisory Council shall undertake early studies of any of the facts of which we are not already aware—although we are aware of most of them—to see if we can deal with this problem in a far more humane way.

Mr. Ridley

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the present Government insist on reviewing practically every defence contract as well as practically every aircraft project, he may have many more of these people on his hands? Will he, therefore, redouble his efforts to find a way of helping them?

Mr. Gunter

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "redoubling" my efforts. The efforts are very concrete and valid.

Mr. Manuel

Does my right hon. Friend agree that one of the best methods of tackling this problem is by creating more retraining facilities? With regard to the training centres that have been set up, has he made certain that they are geared to the existing employment agencies which are set up in the various areas, in order to avoid travelling and breaking up homes when men secure new employment?

Mr. Gunter

Many of the men referred to in this question are not the sort of persons who would take to retraining. I think they have already built one career. What they are looking for—and this creates one of the greatest difficulties—is jobs with comparable rates of pay. It is very difficult to place them in industry if younger men are already in the channel of promotion. However, I can assure the House that I am deeply aware of the agony that this problem causes many people.