§ 14. Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will approach the Canadian Government with a view to an agreement being made between Canada and the United Kingdom, similar to those agreements which the United Kingdom has already made with Australia and New Zealand, whereby retirement pensions will be paid to citizens of Canada or the United Kingdom when resident in either country.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Canadian Government are aware that we have been ready for some time to discuss the possibility of an agreement on social security should they feel able to enter into discussions.
§ Mr. CunninghamDoes not my right hon. Friend think that the return of a Government at Ottowa which is strongly in favour of closer Commonwealth relations may offer him an opportunity to make further progress? Would he be prepared, if necessary, to go to Canada to make personal contact?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI hope that my hon. Friend may be right in the first part of his supplementary question. Regarding the second part, I am prepared to take any step which seems to me helpful in achieving agreement in this direction, and I certainly would be prepared in those circumstances to go to Canada about it.