§ Mr. James Hillasked the Secretary of State for Social Services with which countries Great Britain has a reciprocal arrangement to pay the national insurance pension; with which countries Great Britain does not have such arrangements; and what negotiations are taking place to initiate such arrangements with these countries.
§ Mr. DeanNational insurance pensions are payable anywhere in the world and reciprocal agreements are not needed for this purpose. Increases in pensions awarded after a pensioner leaves this country, or qualifies when abroad, are paid only if there is a reciprocal agreement under which the other country concerned agrees to pay its pensions and increases here. There are reciprocal agreements covering payment of pension increases with the following countries
Belgium, Bermuda, Cyprus, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Irish Republic, Israel, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, United States of America and YugoslaviaAn agreement has been signed with Austria which will also cover payment of pension increases and this agreement should be ratified shortly. Negotiations are taking place with Jamaica and it is hoped that similar agreement will be reached. We seek to negotiate such agreements whenever possible.