---

Pensions Bill

I support the amendment of my noble friend Lady Turner. I support fully the proposal to raise the retirement age. The period over which it will take place is very fair: it will not be a shock to anyone. The more I have looked at this issue, the more I have reached the view that it would not be an equitable way forward to make it mandatory for people working in some of the occupations that we know involve heavy lifting, are dangerous and have high accident rates to wait until the age of 68. People in such occupations are generally those who were not in education until their early 20s, but who probably left school at 16. So you are talking about 52 years of continual week-in, week-out work in heavy industry which in many instances has a high accident rate. I greatly welcome the amendment and I hope that the Minister will consider it seriously. I know that it is difficult and that we do not have exceptions at the moment, but the provision is not mandatory. It says that, "““the Secretary of State may by order vary the pensionable age for men and women in specific employments””." Clearly those specific employments would have to be considered and proven. Otherwise, we would have all kinds of exceptions under the legislation. Against the background in which we saw the retirement age for women rise from 60 to 65, a Bill that raises it from65 to 68 in our own lifetimes needs to be considered. I would hope that the Minister will give the amendment serious consideration. If it is unacceptable, I should like to know why. Fifty-two years is really more like being chained to a life of hard work which I do not think any of us would envy.