§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) what contribution his Department made to the European Year of Older People and Solidarity between Generations in terms of financial support, practical support for particular events, and the provision of information;
(2) in which programmes and events for the European Year of Older People and Solidarity between Generations he has been directly involved.
§ Miss WiddecombeTo mark the end of the European Year of Older People and Solidarity Between Generations426W my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and my hon. Friend the Minister of State joined colleagues at a meeting of the EC Social Affairs Council in November in issuing a declaration of principles confirming the commitment of member states to integrating older people into all areas of the life of the Community.
Throughout the year, Ministers and officials from the Employment Department supported appropriate events, including that on "Investing in Older People at Work" staged by the Health Education Authority in October. In December, I spoke at an international symposium in Dublin on the implications of our ageing population for the work force. I told delegates of the work of my Advisory Group on Older Workers to persuade employers of the benefits of treating everyone on merit, regardless of age. I described our "Getting On" campaign which offers employers a five-point plan to avoid ageism. I also took the opportunity to challenge the European Commission to end its practice of excluding anyone over the age of 35 from applying to work with it or its institutions.