To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to his answer of 27 November 2006, Official Report, column 386W, on the retirement age, what the aims were which the Government were seeking to achieve; and if he will make a statement. (107446)

I refer to my answer of 30 October 2006, Official Report, columns 93-94W. The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations aim to tackle unjustified age discrimination in employment and vocational training. The default retirement age and the employee’s right to request working beyond retirement age, were introduced in order to deliver the Government’s labour market objectives of recognising the need for work force planning and avoiding adverse impact on the provision of occupational pensions and other work-related benefits. Our position was also set out in the joint written statement by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to the House on 14 December 2004, Official Report, column 127WS.