HC Deb 01 July 1959 vol 608 cc45-6W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the Minister of Labour what effective developments have now taken place as a result of the two reports by the National Advisory Committee on the Employment of Older Men and Women, containing recommendations how maximum benefit to the community can be obtained from the average increasing length of life now developing.

Mr. Wood

The reports of the National Advisory Committee received wide publicity, and undoubtedly led to a greater awareness and understanding of the special needs of older workers among employers and the public in general. Between the middle of 1955 and the middle of 1958 (the latest date for which figures are available) the number of persons aged 40 and over in employment increased by 2.7 per cent., compared with an increase of 1.3 per cent. in the total number of such persons in the population. It is not possible to say to what extent this encouraging increase in employment may be attributed to the effect of the report.

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