§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral answer of 22 May 1997,Official Report, columns 825–26, what was the form of the consultation process into age discrimination in employment; if he will make a statement on the meetings that have taken place as part of the consultation process indicating the individuals and organisations met and the date when such meetings occurred; and if he will make a statement on (a) visits to and (b) other contact with individuals and organisations under the consultation process to date. [25658]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe consultation on age discrimination in employment has not been restricted to visits and meetings solely concerned with older workers. It has been, and continues to be, broad-based in order to gain a wide variety of views so that a consensus may be established on how best to tackle the problems of age discrimination in employment. In addition, I have met with, and visited, a variety of organisations concerned with age discrimination and groups of older workers. These include Age Concern, the Third Age Challenge Trust and the Employers Forum on Age. On 27 October 1997, I held a meeting with a range of key figures from business, the lobby and other interested parties. The consultation is continuing into the Spring and I intend to hold another consultation meeting in the near future.