Older Workers

HC Deb 09 December 1971 vol 827 cc1489-91

15. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many men between 60 and 65 years of age were unemployed at the latest date for which figures are available; and what percentage of the insured male population in that age group they represented.

Mr. David Howell

At July, 1971, the number of registered wholly unemployed men aged 60 to 64 years in Great Britain was 105,167. Expressed as a proportion of all male employees in this age group, the figure was 8.9 per cent.

Mr. Pardoe

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the male unemployment rate he has given in this age group is very much higher than was the case for all the other age groups in July? Is he aware that a large number of these people are in development areas and that their chances of ever getting full-time employment before they reach retirement age are extremely slim? Does he not think that it is time seriously to consider the lowering of the age of retirement from 65 to 60 in development areas—not the whole of the country. Would he also reconsider the regulations which debar seasonal workers from getting unemployment pay after more than three years of seasonal working?

Mr. Howell

I certainly share the hon. Member's assessment of the seriousness of the problem. It is a very serious and, for many people, tragic problem. I know it is of small comfort to those involved, but the proportion which this represents of total unemployment has not changed very much over the years. Nevertheless it is a serious problem. My Department spends a lot of time urging firms not to discharge older workers. We have a scheme for helping those who are over 45 in the intermediate and development areas. As for the hon. Gentleman's other ideas, I will consider them but at first glance I am not sure that they would help the problem very much.

Mr. Cormack

What is the Department doing to encourage the employment of older workers?

Mr. Howell

As I have said, there is a direct policy of encouragement to firms through our local branches and through all our efforts in the various employment areas. At the same time we have a direct scheme in the intermediate and development areas for encouraging employers to train and keep on workers who are over 45.

Mr. Heffer

Will the hon. Gentleman tell the House how this scheme is working? Hon. Members who come from development areas have seen no evidence that such a scheme is in operation or is working. Will the hon. Gentleman explain this and say what the Government intend to do in the future? In view of the growing unemployment, will the hon. Gentleman also explain how, on television last night, the Prime Minister could say that he was proud of what has been done in the last 18 months?

Mr. Howell

On the serious point—as opposed to the polemic one—on the actual life of people in the hon. Gentleman's constituency, the answer is that the training scheme is getting under way. It is an innovation by this Government and, of course, it takes time to get going. We are watching it very closely and, if it needs supplementing and developing, we shall develop it. As to the hon. Gentleman's broader points, I cannot see that they are worthy of a serious answer.