§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has lo introduce legislation against age discrimination in the work place following the judgment in the case of Rutherford and Bentleyv. Towncircle Ltd.; and if she will make a statement. [188254]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Rutherford and Bentley case is not about age discrimination—it is about sex discrimination, and the Government welcomes the Court of Appeal judgment that UK legislation is not unlawful. The Government have undertaken public consultation on forthcoming age legislation, which will come into force in 2006, including proposals on upper age limits for unfair dismissal and statutory redundancy payments.