§ 2. Miss Fookesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to encourage the employment of men in the age group 55 to 65 years.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. R. Chichester-Clark)The current modernisation and extension of the employment and training services provided by my Department should be of benefit to older workers, as to others; the same is true of the Government's measures to expand the economy and stimulate employment generally.
In particular, in the assisted areas grants are available to employers who are prepared to retrain and employ unemployed workers of 45 years of age and over.
§ Miss FookesIs my hon. Friend aware that there are many men and women of mature age outside the assisted areas who feel that they have been thrown on the scrap-heap simply because employers seem to have an unhealthy preoccupation with age?
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkSuccessive Governments have taken the view that the interests of older workers are best served by encouraging employers to consider them on their merits rather than by protective legislation. It is encouraging that there has been a fall in this category of unemployment in the past 12 months.
§ Mr. James LamondIs the hon. Gentleman aware that many local authorities have superannuation schemes with upper age limits of 50 or 51? Is there anything that he can do to encourage them to take into their employment men over that age?
§ Mr. Chichester-ClarkThat is not a matter for my Department. However, I am certain that what the hon. Gentleman has said will be noted.