§ 18. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what was the latest convenient figure for unemployment among men over 55 years of age in Scotland; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. FernyhoughAt 13th January, 1969, 16,100 men aged 55 and over were 1060 registered as wholly unemployed in Scotland. This was about 24 per cent. of the total male register, a rather lower proportion than in Great Britain as a whole. Ten thousand of these men were over 60. I am well aware of the difficulties of the older unemployed man and my Department will continue its efforts to encourage employers to make capacity, not age, the test of suitability for any job.
§ Mr. DalyellWithout being complacent, are not these figures and facts a reflection of the success of the Government's development area policy? What proportion roughly has applied for retraining?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am sorry that I cannot answer the latter part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question. However, having regard to the tremendous rundown in the basic industries in Scotland, these figures show how much more appalling the situation would have been without what the Government have done.
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneCan the hon. Gentleman say how many of these people are people like bank managers who retire early and have to register with the unemployment exchange to safeguard their right to retirement pension at the age of 65?
§ Mr. FernyhoughI am sorry that I cannot give that information without notice.