HL Deb 21 March 1984 vol 449 cc1359-60WA
Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What correspondence have the Government had with representatives of the Canadian Government concerning a reciprocal agreement on indexing pensions to retired citizens and what reply has been sent.

Lord Glenarthur

The Canadian Minister of National Health and Welfare, the Honourable Monique Bégin, wrote to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Social Services on 24th February 1984 expressing her disappointment over Her Majesty's Government's decision not to enter into a comprehensive social security agreement at present, due to the prevailing economic situation. Madame Bégin nevertheless expressed the hope that the technical work begun by officials last year would continue. She confirmed the Canadian Government's willingness to consider the option of entering into an agreement which, instead of providing for all United Kingdom pensions to be paid in Canada at current rates, might provide for payment only of those increases awarded after the date of the agreement.

My honourable friend the Minister of State for Social Security replied to Madame Bégin on 14th March 1984 agreeing that the technical work of preparing the terms of a suitable convention should continue. He also confirmed that Her Majesty's Government would keep the situation under review and would immediately contact the Canadian Government should the financial position improve sufficiently to enable an agreement to be concluded.