HL Deb 01 August 1978 vol 395 cc1282-3WA
Lord BOYD-CARPENTER

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of the case of the Irishman who arrived in Rugby from Ireland with a wife and thirteen dependants; whether they are aware that the local authority has been required to provide them with a house, and that social security is being provided at an annual rate of approximately £5,000 a year; and whether they are taking any steps to prevent the arrival of further workless and philoprogenitive persons imposing further burdens on the British taxpayer.

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

The Government are aware of the case and are not in favour of anyone who is not a national of this country coming here to live off public funds. But an occasional case is not sufficient grounds to overturn the principle that, within the reciprocal arrangements which exist with the Republic of Ireland, someone lawfully resident here should be entitled, broadly speaking, to the normal social welfare provisions.