§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will introduce legislation to comply with the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice which makes it illegal for companies to discriminate against retired women employees by paying them lower benefits than they pay men.
§ Mr. AlisonIt is for the national courts to apply the law in the light of the European Court's interpretation of Community law. The European Court's ruling related specifically to special travel facilities for former employees after retirement, and the case in question,Garland—v—British Rail Engineering Ltd., has yet to be dealt with by the House of Lords following the decision of the European Court. It would be premature to consider legislation on this point.