§ Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance why people who have qualified for the old-age pension and received it in this country do not, under his regulations, get any increases of pension that take place after they leave Britain to go to countries not in the Commonwealth.
§ Mrs. ThatcherBecause, in the absence of a reciprocal agreement with the country in which the retirement pensioner is now residing, it would not be fair to contributors and taxpayers in this country to give an uncovenanted addition to the pension to persons not now living here.
§ Mr. McKayasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if he will make provision to enable retirement pensioners living abroad to receive increases in the pension granted after they have left the country; and what estimate he has made of the additional cost of such provision.
§ Mrs. ThatcherNo. Two million pounds a year.