§ 1. Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will consider bringing in, under Section 29 of the Act of 1946, regulations which will allow for payment of the retired pension to men and women who have gone abroad but who were entitled to the retirement pension and received it whilst residing in the United Kingdom and who have reached an age when, if living here, there would be no restrictions on their earnings and thus they would need no supervision.
§ The Minister of Pensions and National Insurance (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)Regulations made under the Section referred to have always provided for the payment of retirement pensions, without the age restriction suggested, in Commonwealth countries and, since 1955, in foreign countries as well.
§ Mr. McKayIf that is so concerning people's pensions, what about the increases which have taken place since these people went abroad? I have the case of No. 3250843, who complains that 1166 since he went abroad he cannot get the increases which have been given. Can the right hon. Gentleman explain the peculiar situation in which a man can get the main pension but not the increases?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThat has been the position since the increase made at the beginning of the scheme in 1946. Persons, such as those referred to in the Question, who have drawn the pension in this country are able to draw it abroad, as my Answer states. If, however, they are abroad at the time an increase is made, they do not get that increase.