§ Sir Dudley SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in the light of the recent European Court decision on women's retirement and pension rights, he will seek to introduce equalisation between the sexes of working and retirement benefits.
§ Mr. ScottEqual treatment between men and women in respect of working conditions and state and occupational benefits is already the subject of three EC directives. EC directive 76/207 provides for equal treatment at work, and following the European Court's decision that the age of retirement from work fell within the scope of that directive, the necessary provisions have been introduced into British law in the Sex Discrimination Act 1986. EC directive 79/7 deals with equal treatment in social security benefits and has been in force since December 1984. Pension age and survivors' benefits are excluded from the scope of that directive. Equal treatment in occupational social security is required by directive