§ Q4. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Prime Minister if he will seek to pay an official visit to Spain.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to do so, Sir.
§ Mr. RidsdaleEven if the Prime Minister does not make this visit, will he look into the position of 41,000 retirement pensioners abroad, 3,000 of whom live in Spain, who have not been getting the increased pension from the date they left the United Kingdom? Since these pensioners are no strain on our resources, because they do not use our housing, food or fuel, surely we should do something to help these least well-off, following the fall in the value of sterling. Is this not a debt of honour that we owe to such pensioners?
§ The Prime MinisterWe are trying to reach reciprocal agreement with Spain on this matter. We have made progress in recent weeks and I hope that before long it will be possible to conclude an agreement dealing with the problem.
§ Mr. Terry DavisWould the Prime Minister not like to have the opportunity to talk not only to British pensioners living in Spain but to those Spanish citizens who have just returned from Mozambique?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is an internal matter for the Spanish authorities. It is not a matter for me.