§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation if, in view of the rise in the cost of living, and the fact that, under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, the increase in a Malayan pension received by a constituent of the hon. Member for Antrim, South, particulars of whom have been 120W sent to him, over a number of years is 35s. per year, he will make a statement with regard to additional benefits for such Commonwealth pensioners.
§ Mr. DeedesI have been asked to reply.
The purpose of Section 3 of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962, was to supplement the pensions increases payable by overseas Governments to certain overseas pensioners, to bring them into line with the increases granted under the various Pensions (Increase) Acts to public service pensioners in this country. The amount of the supplement awarded in any particular case depends on a number of factors including the age of the pensioner, his date of retirement, the amount of his basic pension, the amount of the increases paid by the overseas Government or Governments, and the amount of increases payable under the various United Kingdom Pensions (Increase) Acts.
In the case referred to the pensioner was granted by Singapore in 1941 a basic pension of £154 11s. 8d. This pension has subsequently attracted increases from the Singapore Government amounting to £147 16s. 9d. per annum. A public service pensioner in this country who retired in 1941 with the same basic pension would be eligible to receive pensions increases amounting to £149 12s. 8d. A supplement of £1 15s. 11d. is therefore payable to the overseas pensioner to bring his pensions increase up to the level payable under the United Kingdom Pensions (Increase) Acts.
Some 8,700 overseas pensioners have been awarded pensions supplements at an average rate of £100 per annum under the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1962.