IF you are over 50, news that the Government is no longer pursuing as a priority a pre-election pledge to introduce legislation to outlaw age discrimination within the job market (made in writing to this Association in 1995) is particularly disappointing.

As recently as 1971, four in five men could expect to be still working after the age of 60. Today, that figure is down to just one in two.

One in every four people over 50 registered as unemployed has been out of work for over four years - with scant prospect of a reasonable job ever again.

The success of the American example proves that there is a positive case to be made for such a law and we welcome the initiative taken by Linda Perham MP in her Private Member's Bill (scheduled for a second reading in the House on February 6) to eliminate the pernicious practice of specifying - or implying - age limits in job advertisements.

We endorse Ms Perham's request to contact her direct at the House of Commons. Our own national ARP/050 Head Office at Greencoat House, Francis Street, London SW1P 1DZ, would also welcome relevant case studies.

M CLARK, chairman Blackburn and East Lancashire Friendship Centre, The Association of Retired and Persons Over Fifty, Manor Road, Blackburn.

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