§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had, and with whom, about consideration of a flexible system of retirement; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThis subject has arisen frequently at my right hon. Friend's meetings with various interested bodies, and clearly there is a strong case for greater flexibility in the provisions for retirement. There has been a most helpful response to the discussion document "A Happier Old Age", which considered this matter, 395W and we shall be putting forward our views on this, amongst other subjects, in a White Paper on the elderly due to be published next year.