HC Deb 06 July 1971 vol 820 cc329-31W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, now that Her Majesty's Government have agreed to accept the terms and conditions for entry into the European Economic Community, he will give a detailed statement on how the implementation of social welfare payments to immigrants from the Six will operate.

Sir K. Joseph

Acceptance of the terms and conditions for entry into the Community can come only through the treaty of accession. In that event the present pattern of reciprocity in social security

with the Six should continue almost unchanged as the Community's regulations follow broadly the lines of our present bilateral agreements, but we would acquire certain additional obligations common to all member states under Community regulations, in relation to unemployment benefit for migrant workers and to family allowances and medical treatment for their families.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if, now that the Government have accepted the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the Six, he can state whether contributions to the National Insurance scheme and for retirement pensions will have to be increased; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) now that the Government have agreed to accept the terms and conditions for Great Britain's entry into the Six, to what extent the financing of the National Health Service will have to be altered from Exchequer payments to the National Insurance contribution; and to what extent those who are sick and disabled will have to pay more in the reduction of Exchequer grants.

Sir K. Joseph

Acceptance of the terms and conditions for entry into the Community can come only through the treaty of accession, but there is nothing in the Treaty of Rome or in the Community Regulations which would require us to change the method of financing our social services.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, as the Government have stated that health and social insurance benefits are better in the countries of the Six than in Great Britain, and on entry the United Kingdom will have to adopt these higher payments, why he will not, before Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community, lift these benefits to the level enjoyed in the Six forthwith; and whether he will make a statement.

Sir K. Joseph

There is nothing in the Treaty of Rome or in the Community Regulations which would require us to vary the level of our social security benefits on entry into the Common Market.