§ Q10. Sir W. Teelingasked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the situation of elderly British residents in foreign and Commonwealth countries, such as ex-governesses and companions, who cannot obtain sufficient money on which to live from United Kingdom representatives; 149W and what would be the cost of introducing legislation to enable old-age pensions to be paid to them in cases where they are too old to return to this country.
§ The Prime MinisterHer Majesty's Government are aware that there are many British nationals living abroad in conditions of hardship. The Government are ready to repatriate those who belong to this country and who are genuinely destitute and to pay subsistence pending their repatriation.
As regards the second part of the question, we do not know the number of those involved and no estimate of cost is therefore possible.