§ 69. Mr. Simon Mahonasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Pro- 390W ductivity if she is aware that a large number of unemployed men are being refused work because they are over 40 years of age; and if she will enter into discussions with trade unions and employers, particularly dock employers, to ensure that a reasonable opportunity for employment, or re-employment, will be afforded to men of 40 to 50 years of age and those below pensionable age.
§ Mr. DellI am very much concerned about the continuing difficulties confroning older men seeking new jobs, which often arise out of problems involving travel, moving home, impaired health and personal preferences as much as age. Although there may be special problems of age structure in some industries, it has long been my Department's policy and practice to persuade employers generally of the benefits of removing unnecessary age restrictions on recruitment. Recruitment of registered dock workers is a matter for the National Dock Labour Board, on which employers and trade unions are equally represented.