§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what current United Kingdom legislation makes provision against discrimination on grounds of age in employment matters; how many United Kingdom employees have(a) won and (b) lost an appeal against unfair dismissal on the grounds of age discrimination; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThere is no United Kingdom legislation which makes provision against discrimination on grounds of age in employment. The Government firmly believe that the way forward is through education and persuasion.
The consideration of whether a dismissal is unfair may include consideration of how age has been taken into account in the decision to dismiss, but this depends on the particular circumstances of the case. Industrial tribunals' central office does not keep records of the factors involved in such cases and this information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.