§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will compare the contributory and/or noncontributory benefits payable in Great Britain to nationals of France, the USA and the Republic of Ireland whose resources are insufficient to meet their needs whilst in the United Kingdom with the benefits which could be received by 606W British nationals in similar circumstances in each of the three above-quoted countries.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe differences between schemes in the countries mentioned, some of which are local and some national, in the criteria used to determine need and in the discretionary powers provided to meet the individual circumstances of applicants, preclude an effective comparison of the kind requested. It would also not be possible in comparing money levels of benefits to make due allowance for other relevant factors such as differing costs of living and levels of income and other social provision in kind.