asked the Secretary of State for Employment what study he has made of pre-retirement courses; and what plans he has to stimulate such courses.

My Department has not made any special study of pre-retirement courses, although it recognises their value and importance. However, I hope that the survey on reasons for retirement, commissioned from the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys by my Department and the Department of Health and Social Security, will provide useful information about the demand from workers for pre-retirement help and advice, including pre-retirement courses.