HC Deb 17 July 1961 vol 644 c866
12. Mr. Houghton

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how soon he expects to make a reciprocal agreement with Czechoslovakia covering National Insurance and allied social services.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have no proposals for a reciprocal agreement with Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Lipton

Is the Minister aware that as yet he does not have a reciprocal agreement with any Commonwealth country for giving old-age pensioners living in Commonwealth countries the increases—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I am not following how this arises from the question of a reciprocal agreement with Czechoslovakia.

Mr. Houghton

Can the Minister say briefly what impediment stands in the way of reaching a reciprocal agreement with Czechoslovakia, since he has recently reached one with Yugoslavia?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There are profound differences between the schemes in the two countries. As, I think, the hon. Gentleman knows, the Czechoslovak scheme contains features that make a reciprocal agreement with Czechoslovakia very difficult.