AS chairman of the (local) Friendship Centre of the Association of Retired and Persons Over (ARP/050), I would like to draw attention to an important Bill which comes up for its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday.

The Age Equality Commission Bill aims to set up a national commission which will examine all aspects of ageing in British society and make recommendations to the Government on appropriate legislation or other measures to deal with unacceptable age discrimination wherever it appears.

We all know someone who has been denied a job because of their age or who has been refused a particular treatment by the NHS.

Which other group has its income taken away after six weeks in hospital, as happens to those on state pension?

Insurance premiums go up and driving licences have to be renewed (and paid for) every three years.

I hope that your readers write to their MPs calling on them to vote in favour of this important measure.

Additional information can be obtained from our national office by contacting: Don Steel, Director of Social Policy, ARP/050, Greencoat House, Francis Street, London SW1P 1DZ or telephone 010 7828 0500; email info@arp.org.uk; website www.arp.org.uk

A R CHRISTOPHER

Grasmere

Liden

Swindon