§ 56. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans for reducing the pensionable age of men and bringing it into line with that of women; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiWe have no plans for any early change in pension age. As was made clear in chapter 3 of the White Paper "Growing Older"—Cmnd. 8173—cost precludes the possibility of worthwhile changes in the short-term, although equalisation of pension age for men and women coupled with a scheme for flexible retirement remains the Government's long-term objective. The Department has recently submitted evidence to this effect to the Select Committee on Social Services, which is currently studying the question of pension age.