§ Mr. Jayasked the Minister of Labour what have been the results of his invitation to industry, public and private, to bring the age of retirement from work into conformity with that now prevailing in the Civil Service.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe main result of my right hon. and learned Friend's invitation, which was in more general terms than those suggested by the right hon. Gentleman, has been to stimulate thought and discussion among employers and workers—an essential step towards effective action in a matter of this kind involving changes in long-established attitudes and practices. In certain fields, including the Civil Service, changes have already been made to enable and to encourage workers to defer their retirement. The advice of the Committee on the employment of older men and women, of which I have the honour to be chairman, will enable further progress to be made.