§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity, if she will appoint a committee to consider means of increasing the prospects of employment of unemployed persons over 45 years of age.
§ Mr. FernyhoughIt is the Government's policy to encourage the employment of older workers for as long as they are able and willing to work. Current arrangements provide for frequent review of older workers' problems. In 1966, the National Joint Advisory Council approved a number of proposals designed to promote their employment, including efforts to influence industrial attitudes, building up more specialised knowledge within the employment services, training and job redesign. Some of the measures have already been brought into effect and the others will be implemented as soon as opportunity permits. I do not think a special committee would serve a useful purpose.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity how many unemployed persons in Scotland are 45 years of age or over; and 237W what steps she proposes to take to reduce this number.
§ Mr. FernyhoughAge analyses of the registered wholly unemployed are provided for January and July each year. The figures for July, 1968 will become available during the next few days and I will write to the hon. Member again.
The following are the latest available figures:
Numbers at 8th January, 1968 Men, over 45, wholly unemployed 25,995 Women, over 45, wholly unemployed 4,916 30,911 The Government's economic policies, including the wide range of measures for regional development, are designed to reduce unemployment to the minimum practicable level. I refer to Government policies relating to older workers specifically in my reply to the hon. Member's further Question on this subject today.