Hansard April 1993: Lady Olga Maitland: "Such a programme, on a considerable scale, involving women born in the 1950s will take adjustment." "It is not a programme to be launched in haste. It will have a fundamental effect on society."

"We should not forget to take into account the women who have spent years in low-paid work, from which they may not qualify for a retirement pension and who do not have an occupational pension."

"Perhaps they have heavy home caring responsibilities. Such women could be forced to seek income support before they reached the official retirement age."

"We should examine carefully how vulnerable groups would be affected. We should be aware of the women who could be disadvantaged. They should be protected and compensated where appropriate."

"We should now initiate, I believe, a comprehensive public information campaign and condition ourselves to these fundamental changes."