§ Mr. Tileyasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether he will make a statement about reciprocity with Israel in the field of social security.
§ Mr. Boyd-Carpenter:I am glad to be able to inform the House that, on 29th April, the Israel Ambassador in London and my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs signed a Convention on Social Security between the two countries. Under this Convention, a person who has paid National Insurance contributions in this country and the corresponding contributions in Israel can add these contributions together in order to qualify for benefit in either country. The Convention provides also that a woman who is entitled to a British maternity grant may 23W receive medical treatment in Israel under the same conditions as a woman who is entitled to an Israel maternity grant. The Convention will come into operation when it us ratified.