HC Deb 22 April 1988 vol 131 cc588-9W
Mr. Cran

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on Her Majesty's Government's policy on age discrimination by employers; and what steps have been taken by his Department to discourage such discrimination.

Mr. Lee

The Government believe that employers should select applicants for jobs on the basis of suitability. Where employers impose age limits, staff in jobcentres and the Professional and Executive Recruitment offices may ask them to consider whether they are justified. However, age can in certain circumstances have a bearing on suitability and employers are normally in the best position to judge if this is so.