Mr. Ron Brownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received about the upgrading of retirement pensions for British residents in Canada; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LyellSince 1 April 1986 we have replied to about 130 inquiries from hon. Members about the non-payment 591W of annual upratings to our retirement pensioners living in Canada, some of which included representations in favour of paying such increases. Officers of the Department have also replied to about 40 inquiries and representations on this subject. On 23 April 1986 my predecessor responded to my hon. Friend the Member for Harborough (Sir J. Farr) when he raised this subject on the motion for the Adjournment of the House (columns 398–404). On the question of progress made towards a social security convention with Canada enabling pensions payable to British pensioners living in Canada to be uprated, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Liverpool, West Derby, (Mr. Wareing) on 22 October at columns 906–7.