§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the rules governing changes in pensions paid by the State to those living overseas.
§ Mr. OrmeWhen the rates of national insurance pensions are increased, the increases are not paid to pensioners resident abroad, unless they are living within the EEC or in a country with which we have a reciprocal agreement under which each country undertakes to pay its pension increases in the other.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many State pensions were paid to persons living overseas in 1976, 1975, 1974 and 1973, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeThe number of national insurance pensions paid overseas was:
Thousands Widow's benefit Retirement pension 1973 … 14.2 147.4 1974 … 14.6 157.5 1975 … 14.1 168.9 1976 … 14.9 183.2
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the value of State pensions paid overseas in 1976, 1975, 1974 and 1973, respectively.
§ Mr. OrmeThe estimated annual cost of national insurance retirement pensions and widow's benefit paid to beneficiaries overseas was:
£ million 1973 … … … … 33.05 1974 … … … … 39.36 1975 … … … … 53.65 1976 … … … … 60.03