§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has about how many people now living in the United Kingdom are experiencing difficulty in getting benefits due to them for periods they spent in each of the other European Economic Community countries; and what steps he is taking to solve this problem.
§ Dr. BoysonI am not aware that people living in the United Kingdom are, in general, experiencing difficulties in obtaining benefit due to them for periods of employment in another member state, although instances of difficulty do arise from time to time. The Department does its best to assist in such cases but responsibility for awarding and paying benefits arising from insurance in a scheme in a member state other than the United Kingdom rests with the competent authority in that state.