HC Deb 17 April 1969 vol 781 c296W
Mr. Milne

asked the Secretary of State for Employment and Productivity what further steps she intends to take to end the discrimination by many employers against men and women over 45 years of age in regard to employment opportunities.

Mr. Fernyhough

Employment exchanges will continue their efforts to persuade employers not to enforce rigid age limits and to make capacity the test of suitability for engagement or retention in employment. I am convinced that in this matter a policy of persuasion is more fruitful than one of compulsion. Opportunities for older workers would I think be substantially improved if more of them were prepared to take advantage of the facilities for training, retraining, industrial rehabilitation and occupational guidance offered by my Department.