§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to introduce legislation to combat age discrimination; if she will outlaw mandatory retirement ages; and what powers the authorities will be granted to enforce such legislation. [10112]
§ Alan JohnsonWe shall introduce legislation to combat age discrimination in employment and training by the 2006 deadline set out in the EC's Employment Directive. That will give us the necessary time to resolve the complexities surrounding this issue, and to decide the right approach to retirement ages in the light of extensive consultation with employers, individuals, and expert groups on age good practice. We shall be issuing proposals for a first round of public consultation within the next three months. This will cover issues which are common to discrimination on grounds of age, sexual orientation, religion, disability and race, including enforcement.