§ Mr. PatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish in the Official Report statistics on the employment of over 60s in Britain; and if he will introduce legislation to protect those aged over 60 years who wish to work against prejudice from both public and private employers.
Mr. JacksonThe 1989 labour force survey found that in spring 1989 the number of people aged 60 or over in employment in Great Britain was 1,437,000. We have no plans to introduce legislation on age discrimination, since we believe that it would be difficult to apply and uncertain in its effect. Our policy is to persuade employers to consider all applicants on merit, without imposing arbitrary age limits on recruitment.