§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services in what circumstances foreign nationals temporarily resident in the United Kingdom are entitled to claim supplementary benefit without having paid United Kingdom income tax or national insurance contributions; and in which foreign countries United Kingdom citizens are entitled to claim similar benefit.
§ Mr. MeacherSupplementary benefit is available to all persons in Great Britain aged 16 or over who are not in full-time work and whose resources are insufficient for their requirements, in accordance with the provisions of the Supplementary Benefit Acts. Foreign nationals may qualify on the same terms as United Kingdom citizens.
A citizen of the United Kingdom would be entitled to claim the equivalent local benefit on conditions similar to those applying to local residents in other EEC countries and in Greece, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I am unable to advise on the position in other countries.