§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Prime Minister what reply she has sent to the letter of Mr. A. W. Blakestone of 46 Appleton road, Buckhill avenue, Kingston upon Hull, in which he suggested that to mark the 40th anniversary of VE Day and VJ Day people who saw active service in that war should be able to take statutory retirement a year early for each year of service to a maximum of five years with a view to releasing their jobs for the unemployed; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterMr. Blakestone's letter was passed to the Ministry of Defence for action and an official reply was sent on 5 March 1985. This set out the Government's plans for the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, in accordance with my statement of 14 February 1985.—[Vol. 61, c.230.] I have asked my noble Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces to write to the hon. Member with a copy of the letter to Mr. Blakestone.