§ Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any proposals for the implementation of that part of EC Directive (79/7) requiring equal treatment for men and women in respect of state pension schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Government have taken steps to implement Directive 79/9 EEC in relation to the state pension scheme apart from the permitted exclusions relating to pension age (article 7.1(a)) and availability of category B pensions for women (article 7.1 (c)). These both represent areas of positive discrimination in favour of women.