§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the number of persons who had their pensions increased, and past increases awarded, at the time reciprocal social security agreements were concluded in each of the following countries: Austria, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Malta, Sark, Spain, Turkey and Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret that detailed information is not held in the precise form requested. It is estimated that the numbers were as follows:
Austria 530 Cyprus 60 Gibraltar 140 Guernsey 1170 Jersey 1850 Malta 150 Sark* 50 Spain 3800 Turkey 25 Yugoslavia 10 *In the case of Sark, the increased rates became payable under the Social Security Benefit (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975, and not under a reciprocal agreement.
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many United Kingdom pensioners are now paid under reciprocal agreements with Bermuda, Jamaica, and the United States of America; and how many pensioners were not brought up to full parity with pensioners living in Great Britain at the time these agreements were made.
§ Mr. OrmeI regret that information is not held in the precise form requested. Available information is as follows:
British pensions in payment at 31 December 1978 British pensions not brought up to parity when agreements made (approximate totals) Bermuda 163 140 Jamaica 3,032 950 U.S.A. 19,621 10,000
§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what year were reciprocal social security agreements concluded with Austria, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Israel, 712W Jersey, Malta, Sark, Spain, Turkey, and Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. OrmeAgreements modifying the National Insurance Acts or the Social Security Acts were concluded as follows:
Austria: 1972 and 1976. Cyprus: 1957 and 1969. Gibraltar: 1974. Guernsey: 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972 and 1978. Isle of Man: 1948 and 1977. Israel: 1957. Jersey: 1954, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1972 and 1978. Malta: 1956 and 1958. Sark: None. Spain: 1975. Turkey: 1961. Yugoslavia: 1958. The year shown is that in which the agreement was ratified or, where ratification was unnecessary, in which it was signed.