§ 46. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement regarding the future work of the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women.
§ Mr. WoodThis Committee issued two valuable reports which reviewed the problems, set out the lines for future work and received wide publicity. Much remains to be done and my Ministry will continue to take an active interest in this work, but my right hon. Friend thinks that these problems should in future be discussed through the National Joint Advisory Council, on which employers,130W trade unions and the nationalised industries are represented.
A final meeting of the Committee was therefore held last week. It reviewed progress and made some valuable suggestions for the Ministry's future work in association with industry. Stress was laid on the need for further research into problems associated with the employment of older workers, and it was agreed that the Ministry would discuss with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and the Medical Research Council any additional steps which might be taken to encourage and direct such research.