HC Deb 07 July 1975 vol 895 c31W
Mr. McCusker

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many overseas service and scheme officers are in receipt of supplementation from Her Majesty's Government; and how many are United Kingdom citizens.

Mr. Prentice

At 30th June 1975, 6,247 persons were receiving supplementation benefits under various schemes. The great majority are citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies, but information about the exact number is not readily available, and to compile it would involve a disproportionate cost to public funds.

Mr. McCusker

asked the Minister of Overseas Development how many citizens of the Irish Republic are in receipt of overseas service and scheme supplementation payments; and why.

Mr. Prentice

The number is not known, as no separate records are kept of citizens of the Republic of Ireland. Citizens of the Republic are for historical reasons not considered aliens, and this position was recognised in the Ireland Act 1949. For the purposes of our supplementation schemes, therefore, citizens of the Republic of Ireland are treated as if they were citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies.