§ 11. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he remains satisfied with the workings of the job release scheme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GoldingI am satisfied with the workings of the current job release scheme, but my right hon. Friend announced in the House on 30th January 1978 that we plan that it should be extended—in a revised form—for a further year until 31st March 1979.
§ Mr. HicksDoes the Minister agree that in this nationally agreed scheme, involving both the CBI and the TUC, it is totally unwarranted for local trade union officials to object to the release of a man who has been a lifetime member of the trade union movement? Is not the Minister abdicating his responsibility in refusing to intervene?
§ Mr. GoldingNo, because when we introduced the scheme we made it absolutely clear that the release would be dependent upon agreement by the employer and the trade union concerned. We have had one objection from a trade union district secretary; several from employers.
§ Mr. MaddenDoes the Minister agree that earlier retirement is not only socially attractive but also a very real way of combating unemployment. Does he agree that his scheme would be doubly attractive if the upper age limit were reduced well below the age of 64? When, in the interests of flexibility, will this be considered by his Department?
§ Mr. GoldingWhether or not early retirement is attractive depends on how much one is given in that retirement. I think that the question is one of cost. If enough were given to me, I would retire immediately.