§ Mr. WoodcockTo ask Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide a summary of any special arrangements for social security contributions by or on behalf of seafarers which apply or are in active contemplation in each of the member states of the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Peter Lloyd[holding answer 23 February 1989]: The following special arrangements exist in the United Kingdom for social security contributions paid by and on behalf of seafarers:
461W1. National insurance contributions paid by the employers of foreign-going mariners are subject to a special rebate, of 0.5 per cent. This reflects the fact that employers of foreign going mariners provide health care facilities for mariners whilst they are on board ship, and because the mariners cannot claim sickness benefit while abroad.2. Share fishermen are self-employed but pay a special higher rate of national insurance contribution to reflect their entitlement to Unemployment and Industrial Injuries Benefits. The information available in respect of other EEC countries is as follows:
Belgium
Employers can receive special subsidies against their social security contributions if a crew is abroad for over seven months.
Denmark
Employers pay an extra amount per employee to cover sickness insurance.
West Germany
Foreign crew members not resident in Germany do not pay contributions for retirement pension purposes where there is no reciprocal agreement between West Germany and the country of origin.
France
Seafarers can retire on full pension at 55, or at 50 or 521 on reduced pension (normal pension age 65).
Greece
Special contribution rates and pension arrangements for employers and employees.
Ireland
No special arrangements.
Italy
No special arrangements.
Netherlands
No special arrangements.
Portugal
No special arrangements.
Spain
Special contribution rates for employers and employees and State subsidy.