§ 32. Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance to what extent the increase in pensions granted in 1955, under the Act of 1954, is payable to British contributory pensioners overseas and if he will take steps to ensure that the whole of such increase is payable to all such pensioners.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe increase is payable to pensioners living abroad if they left this country after the date of the increase or if they first qualified for pension after that date or if they are living in a country with which we have a reciprocal agreement which provides for the payment of pension at the full current rate. This is the practice which has been followed each time pension rates have 9W been increased. The answer to the second part of the Question is, therefore, "No."
§ Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether, as the increase in retirement pensions made in April, 1955, did not then compensate for the arrears of reduced purchasing power of pensioners, due to the fall in the value of the £, he will, before Christmas take the necessary action to improve the present retirement pensions.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe rates of retirement pensions which came into operation in April, 1955 more than compensated for the rise in prices up to that date.