§ Mr. Simon Mahonasked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance if she is aware of the imbalance of pension payments to persons who have given long public service to this country but who are now resident in Eire; and to what extent negotiations are in progress, or envisaged, between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Eire to establish a reciprocal arrangement in such payments so as to avoid hardship to such persons.
§ Mr. PentlandNational Insurance pensions in payment to persons living outside the United Kingdom are not increased when pensions in this country are increased, unless the pensioner lives in a260W country with which there is a reciprocal agreement modifying this rule. The existing reciprocal agreement with the Irish Republic does not cover retirement pensions but negotiations for a new social security agreement are at present proceeding.